‘It’s a jungle out there. Disorder and confusion everywhere’People think I’m crazy, ’cause I worry all the time. If you paid attention, you’d be worried too.’ Composer Randy Newman’s theme song from the celebrated TV series ‘Monk’ (USA Network) perfectly … Continue reading →

‘Why am I feeling down? I know there are people with problems a lot worse than mine, so why do I always feel sorry for myself?’ I hear this all the time. It’s a perfectly reasonable observation, but it doesn’t … Continue reading →

Life, like anything of value, isn’t free, and stress is part of the price we pay for living. But stress isn’t always unhealthy; it can be a signal that you’re accomplishing productive and important things—your career, raising kids, or enjoying … Continue reading →

Psychologist and researcher Dr. Martin Seligman, author of ‘Authentic Happiness’ (2004, Free Press), asserts that happiness has three components:(1) mood, (2) meaning, and, (3) how engagedpeople are in what they’re doing. ‘You could think of [these] as three different ‘takes’ … Continue reading →

‘I love my kids!’ I hear it all the time. But sometimes love, by itself, isn’t enough. Children are a central theme with many of my clients, and I have learned much about what to do—and what NOT to do. … Continue reading →

I was at the red light at Rts. 113 and 20 last week when a large pickup truck blatantly sped through the light—on the shoulder and around the stopped cars. He never looked. He never slowed down. Drivers on the … Continue reading →

A Wave reader in South Bethany writes: Dear Dr. Hurd, I loved your column [January 25, 2006] describing resort dwellers as ‘outlaws.’I agree with everything you said, and I do consider myself self-sufficient and capable of ‘being alone without being … Continue reading →

Do you have a neighbor who ‘drops in’ any time of day—uninvited? Do you know a child who can’t keep his hands off of other people’s property? Do you have friends who call you and expect you to be available … Continue reading →

Recent medical and psychological studies have shown that a smile is a whole lot more than just a ‘frown turned upside down.’ Did you know that high-tech medical imaging has shown that the sight of a smiling face makes the … Continue reading →

  I reconnected recently with an old friend whom I had not seen for over 20 years. When I told her that I was living and working at the beach, she commented that people who live full time at a … Continue reading →

Feeling anxious? Uneasy? A persistent feeling of anxiety can sometimes stem from nothing more than confusion, brought about by the presence of two contradictory ideas. The confused person can even be unaware that the conflicting ideas are causing these feelings. … Continue reading →

Well, it’s 2006, and the off-season is in full swing. But a change in the calendar does not, by itself, eliminate psychological burdens you might have carried with you from 2005. One of the emotions that people sometimes hold on … Continue reading →