According to research reported in Scientific American Mind, about half of first marriages fail in the U.S., as do two thirds of second marriages and three quarters of third marriages. The researchers suggest that it’s because people usually ‘enter into … Continue reading
There are two types of atheists. The first is psychological, the other philosophical. The psychological atheist is simply angry. The anger might be a reaction to family members who are religious, the policies or actions of various organized religions, or … Continue reading
Liberals complain that psychologists and psychotherapists should not talk about politics — even though what politicians do contributes to about half (or more) of the stress and trauma people are experiencing in today’s declining economy and society. Interestingly, in graduate … Continue reading
Dear Dr. Hurd: I’m writing in response to your Daily Dose of Reason column, ‘America in Reverse.’ (3/22/12) I have to say that reading that article is painful for me because I had to move back in with my mother … Continue reading
Internet or ‘e-therapy’ is on the rise, and the voices of satisfaction are coming overwhelmingly from customers. One article at MSNBC.com interviewed people who were very happy with the concept of e-therapy and how it improved their lives. The voices … Continue reading
People often react badly when you say something they would rather not hear. However, it’s just as bad when you don’t say what they want to hear. A reader writes in: “Dear Dr. Hurd: My mother just doesn’t get it. … Continue reading
One of the primary subjects that come up when couples are in conflict is simply how to make—or keep—a marriage happy for both parties. Probably the best way to ensure this is for both parties to remind themselves that they … Continue reading
Issues and misunderstandings about optimism are a major cause of depression, even in intelligent people. People fear that optimism means pollyannaism, wearing rose-colored glasses, and not being objective. Today, especially, it’s seen as ‘uncool’ not to be cynical and negative; … Continue reading
People often say: ‘Never, ever do business with friends or relatives.’ The precaution is worth noting. Yet if people paid more attention to the following issues, then doing business with friends and relatives might not be such a problem. Ask … Continue reading
The following is an exchange between Dr. Hurd and a journalist who found his article on excessive talking online. Q: Super talking. Why do people do it? Is it rude? Controlling? Is it ADHD (‘Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder’), OCD (Obsessive … Continue reading
Conclusion of yesterday’s column. In a personal relationship, the basic underlying principle is the same. Your spouse won’t love you if you’re always looking to start a fight. However, your spouse also won’t love you if you’re a doormat and … Continue reading
I often tell people to be aware of their expectations regarding spouses and romantic partners. The knee-jerk reaction is typically, ‘Expectations? I don’t have expectations!’ First of all, what’s wrong with having expectations? We all want and expect things. It’s … Continue reading