How many times have we heard the expression that somebody “takes things personally”? Is it always a mistake to feel that way? It can be a basic error to assume that everything is always about you, when in fact it’s … Continue reading
A friend told me recently that she wants to stop “mining for issues.” I liked her metaphor! She told me that she found herself actually looking for things to be anxious and worried about. Looking back at my clinical experience, … Continue reading
Remember “The Dog Whisperer” on National Geographic Channel? It featured the celebrated dog behavior specialist, Cesar Millan. His common-sense approach to controlling the conduct of dogs worked perfectly, time after time. Interestingly, in every episode it became obvious that the … Continue reading
It amazes me how people act like smart consumers in some situations, and like helpless pawns in others. Consider the way most of us handle the news — especially television news. I don’t care which news station you watch; they … Continue reading
A reader tells me that she has successfully reduced her cigarette intake from 22 to only 6 a day. Now she’s stuck, and asks for advice on how to end the habit altogether. Your mistake, dear Reader, was that you … Continue reading
A reader sent me a comment about one of my columns where I suggested that the biggest mistake people make is to try to change others. She agrees that the choice of what to think and do will always be … Continue reading
A website visitor writes that a longtime acquaintance of hers recently passed away. The upshot is that most people didn’t like the woman who died. She was obnoxious and spread bad rumors about everyone. The reader writes that those who … Continue reading
A reader emails: “Dear Dr. Hurd, my brother is 32. He doesn’t work. He, his wife and daughter live with our mother. They scrape by on disability, food stamps and our Mom’s generosity. I believe that his disrespect and mooching … Continue reading
A Delaware Coast Press reader emails, “Dear Dr. Hurd, I am afraid of blood pressure measurements. It started three years ago when I had a panic attack. My blood pressure was high, and the emergency medical team mistook it for … Continue reading
A few years ago I wrote an article entitled “I’m So Sorry!” The two celebrities who inspired my commentary back then were none other than Lindsay Lohan (actress turned professional addict) and Levi Johnston (former on-again/off-again fiancée of Sarah Palin’s … Continue reading
The subject of addiction has been perpetually bogged down in inane political correctness and “feel-good” labels. But no matter how you label it, America is an addictive society. My definition of addiction has grown out of almost 35 years of … Continue reading
A Delaware Wave reader tells me that she’s frustrated with her teenage son. She wants to remind him that he should at least listen to her suggestions and opinions since she’s still paying for everything. Well, dear Reader, the first … Continue reading