We’ve all heard that it’s wrong to make excuses. It’s a rare mental health professional who even talks about the issue, much less takes the position that excuses are bad. Other than myself, one of the few who has addressed … Continue reading
It’s easy to be stressed these days. Even the simple act of taking a vacation can cause anxiety. No matter what you are doing, stress management skills still have to be developed and maintained. Taking the time to enjoy life’s … Continue reading
How often have we heard – or even said – “I need a drink! I’ve had a hard day. I need a nice big meal — or a cigarette!” In the face of stress, it can be tempting to self-medicate … Continue reading
A Delaware Coast Press reader writes that a long-time acquaintance recently passed away. The upshot is that most of the people she knew didn’t like the woman who died. She was obnoxious, and spread bad rumors about everyone. The reader … Continue reading
“Many a truth is said in jest.” But where does joking end, and emotional abuse begin? One of the most common complaints I hear about people from family members or friends is that, “He pretends that he’s joking, but I … Continue reading
The new year often brings people into my office who 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 … Continue reading
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. Every … Continue reading
We all know somebody who says, “He pushes my buttons.” Or “She knows how to manipulate me.” But what do these complaints actually mean? Steven Stosny, Ph.D. at psychologytoday.com [8-14-15] states that “Emotions move us.” Indeed, the Latin root of … Continue reading
New Year’s Day is just a memory, and I hope you consumed your share of black-eyed peas and turnip greens. Each portion is purported to bring financial luck in the coming year. The proof for all this apparently lies in … Continue reading
We’re always fascinated by people who make it their business to jump out of airplanes, drive in car races or risk thousands in the stock market. Why is risk a way of life for some, and for others, it’s all … Continue reading
One of the many definitions of the outdated word “neurotic” is “an impaired mental state brought about by conflicting motivations.” In other words, a person is experiencing strong feelings about something, some of which are in conflict with one another. … Continue reading
Recent studies suggest that teenage rebellion and obnoxious behavior are considered a normal and universal part of growing up. But is this assumption valid? First of all, we have to distinguish between rebellion and individuation, specifically, the psychological/biological process of … Continue reading