People sometimes tell me that their spouses, family members or friends accuse them of being ‘too sensitive.’ Being told you’re too sensitive is basically the same as somebody saying, ‘I don’t like what you’re feeling.’ And that can certainly be … Continue reading →

I have a friend who has been single for years. She is attractive and popular. In spite of her independence, she very much hopes to one day be in a comfortable relationship — maybe even get married. A worthy goal, … Continue reading →

Is it a sign of true friendship to ignore a friend’s flaws? Not necessarily. If someone is your friend, doesn’t it make sense to try and stop her from making a mistake? You can’t control her or do her thinking … Continue reading →

A Wave reader emails that her father used to tell her to ‘not be a quitter.” But when she realizes she’s fighting a losing battle, she feels guilty just ‘letting it go.’ She asks at what point does being a … Continue reading →

A Wave reader emails that her relative, a young woman of 19, has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She asks if it is a valid diagnostic label or just another excuse to justify bad behavior. Psychiatrists define bipolar disorder as … Continue reading →

People often ask me to define cognitive behavioral therapy in simple terms. Well, a great example of CBT at work can be viewed at an unlikely source: Chef Robert Irvine’s Food Network series, Restaurant Impossible. FoodTV.com describes the show as … Continue reading →

Before you donate your time or money to the many charities and causes out there, first nurture your sense of self. To truly help others, you must feel good about you. Most of us are taught to not be ‘selfish.’ … Continue reading →

I get a lot of questions about hypnosis. The most common misperception is that it’s a state of unconsciousness, like sleep. Actually, most experts define hypnosis as a ‘special psychological state with certain physiological attributes, resembling sleep only superficially and … Continue reading →

I spend a lot of time writing about how you can change the way you feel by changing the way you think. In other words, considering the facts as they actually are and then allowing your feelings to follow suit. … Continue reading →

I’ve received multiple emails asking me to repeat this popular article. Memorial Day weekend seems like the perfect opportunity to remind everybody to try and act civilized on the roads. As everyone shares (or pretends to share) the local roads, … Continue reading →

Dear Dr. Hurd, I read your column every week, and I like what you say. But sometimes, when I try to make suggestions to my husband or my adult children, it turns into an unpleasant ‘heated discussion.’ I am truly … Continue reading →

‘An apology is a good way to have the last word.’ If this old saying is true, then why is it difficult for many people to apologize — even when they know they’re wrong? I talk to a lot of … Continue reading →