A visitor to my website writes that he has fallen in love with a woman who is fourteen years his senior. He tells me that he generally goes for people his own age, but that he’s never felt so good … Continue reading
Category: Life’s a Beach!
BOO! Facts Conquer Fears Every Time.
‘Tiz the season for goblins, ghosts and whatever else might strike a little fear (and maybe some fun) into the Halloween season! Pretty much everyone has something that they simply do not want to touch or otherwise encounter in the … Continue reading
When Love Pushes the Panic Button
I received an interesting email from a longtime reader about an incident involving her boyfriend. They had been dating for several years, and as their relationship progressed, they began to discuss the possibility of moving in together. It was during … Continue reading
Force Compels; But It Never Persuades
Barely a week goes by where somebody doesn’t ask me what mistake people make most often. Regular readers of this page can probably predict my answer: The biggest mistake people make is trying to control others. We can’t control the … Continue reading
Nobility: The Pursuit of Happiness, Not the Pursuit of Sacrifice
Many people assume that mental health is a matter of either medicine or moral weakness. The medicine side assumes that pills can eradicate mental illness. The moral side assumes that troubling emotions stem from weakness of character. Neither side is … Continue reading
Not Everyone Welcomes Change
Around this time of year I often get questions about personal growth and how it changes relationships with friends, romantic partners and family. When people improve themselves in ways that increase their self-esteem and confidence, their relationships also change. I … Continue reading
The Psychological Dangers of Hypocrisy
A website visitor writes, “I have a friend who projects her shortcomings and personality faults onto others; holding them accountable for those actions or inactions. For example, she’s always late, yet she expresses anger when others are late. Why does … Continue reading
Hypnosis: For real? Fantasy? Or somewhere in Between?
A website visitor tells me about her friend who is divorced from a man who was somewhat abusive. Her friend enjoys being with her new boyfriend because he is kind to her. However, the reader’s friend confides in her that … Continue reading
Is Talking an Alternative to Thinking?
I received this email from a faithful follower of this column: “I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m a compulsive talker. My crazy need to say something or answer someone (even when no answer is required) often gets me into … Continue reading
Mental Disorders are Now a Blank Check
A Delaware 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 … Continue reading
Should Childhood Last Forever?
Parents of teenagers sometimes often tell me that they don’t feel appreciated by their kids. “Look at all I’ve done for them,” they say. “Why can’t they show gratitude?” As reasonable as this may seem, it contains a huge error. … Continue reading
Gloomy People Can’t Really Love
A Delaware Coast Press reader emailed, “While preparing to have my first child, I did some research and resolved that I was going to breast feed. I couldn’t wait to share this momentous decision with my aunt, with whom I … Continue reading