One of the most positive characteristics of good mental health is a sense of humor. Even as early as the 13th century, physicians and philosophers described the health benefits of laughter. Clinical psychologist Rod A. Martin, Ph.D., of the University … Continue reading →

Letters like these make my day: “Dear Dr. Hurd: I was always taught in school and in church to be selfless when it comes to others’ needs and what they are thinking. But as I enter my mid-70s, I have … Continue reading →

Dreams have mystified and captivated us throughout history. We spend almost six years of our lives — 2,100 days — in the shadowy world of dreams. They have predicted events, started wars, and resolved business decisions. But because of their … Continue reading →

Road Rage has now become one of the latest “diseases” to be foisted upon us by the mental health profession. To make it even more official, they’ve even named it: Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED for short). According to the National … Continue reading →

Have you noticed how we humans tend to value something less if we didn’t work for it or earn it somehow? If you work hard for your car or success in your job, these things mean a lot more than … Continue reading →

One of the questions I regularly encounter in my office is how a person can approach a loved one or a friend about their drinking without the loved one or friend going on the defensive. Years ago, one of those … Continue reading →

I get so many emails and questions about coping with changes in life. Part of it is that so many of us who live here are transplants, having left familiar places behind in favor of living here on the Delaware … Continue reading →

With the winter behind us and the pleasures of summer just around the corner, it seems kind of silly to write a column about smiling. But after doing what I do for over 25 years I know that not everybody … Continue reading →

An online quiz suggests that concern about fire or burglary in your home or catching a disease could be signs of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Though some attention to detail is perfectly reasonable and even necessary to avoid misfortune, the … Continue reading →

Many of us tell lies at one time or another. Most likely they’re little white lies to spare somebody’s feelings, or to get out of some commitment that we probably should never have made in the first place. The majority … Continue reading →

There’s a saying that suggests that you should never do business with friends. I received an email from a reader who did business here locally with a friend, and now there are problems with the expensive item she purchased. The … Continue reading →

It’s a rare day in my office when a client doesn’t ask me about bringing up kids to be responsible in money matters. I’m in the interesting position of having talked to hundreds of people about their childhoods while simultaneously … Continue reading →