There are many myths involving what actually happens in a therapy session. I think that some people actually believe all that feel-good nonsense they see on daytime TV talk shows, and expect their visit to be an instant cure for … Continue reading →

We read all the time about depression, anxiety and ‘anger management.’ But what about bitterness? Well, things seem to be looking up for the bitter among us: The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is considering classifying bitterness as a mental disorder. … Continue reading →

A regular reader sent me an email asking for my perspective on an interesting psychological oddity, namely, people who don’t like to be treated well. Of course most of us want to be treated with kindness and respect, but she … Continue reading →

I recently had a close encounter (of the obnoxious kind) in a local grocery store. My regular readers know that these little adventures of mine frequently end up as columns, and this one’s no exception. A woman who showed no … Continue reading →

According to the nationwide Police Foundation, shoplifting continues to be a major crime problem in spite of millions of dollars spent on surveillance and enforcement. Over two million shoplifting cases per year are detected but not reported. And of the … Continue reading →

Memory and emotions often work hand-in-hand. Though a person might appear to only remember what he ‘wants to remember,” it doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s deliberately choosing to forget. That would just be lying. But sometimes a person will only … Continue reading →

‘You are what you do.’ Really? Isn’t there more to life than just our jobs? For many people, the problem isn’t how much they work, but how they define themselves in relation to their work. If you ‘are what you … Continue reading →

When facing an important life decision about relationships and other personal issues, it’s often best to consider your own advice first. After all, YOU spend all of your time with yourself, so who’s better suited to know what’s right when … Continue reading →

Of all the subjects people talk about in my office, one of the most common is issues with (and questions about) relationships. Boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands, wives and otherwise partnered couples sometimes tell me that they don’t feel ‘connected,’ or that … Continue reading →

People often tell me that they feel like they’re never going to get ‘caught up.’ They’re always worrying about how (and when) they’re going to achieve all the goals they’ve set for themselves. First of all, “catching up” is a … Continue reading →

Dear Dr. Hurd,My father died almost 18 years ago. Though I consider myself fully ‘recovered,’ occasionally something will remind me of him. When I start thinking about it, the feelings of loss come rushing back almost as strong as they … Continue reading →

We all know at least one person who complains about pretty much everything. He or she has nothing good to say about anyone, and (gleefully) zeros in on other people’s weaknesses — real or exaggerated. You have to wonder why … Continue reading →