Is Social Media an Addiction?

…e statistical “normal curve.” And not because it’s necessarily better, but simply because it’s in the middle. As a lady once put it to me some years ago, “Dr. Hurd, why wouldn’t I ask you what’s normal? Those of us living out here want to be part of the pack.” Being part of the pack may be fine in certain contexts, but if it’s an end in itself, it opens the door to a whole range of addictive or unhealthy behaviors. And social media fixation is onl… Continue reading

Sick of Democrats and Republicans? Here’s a Plan

…nything the world has ever seen. Professional providers of education would complete for parents’ dollars, driving quality up and prices down via competition. (2) Eliminate most other Cabinet departments, except for State and Defense. Department of Commerce, Department of Energy, including the EPA? Get rid of them. Not only do these departments waste billions of dollars, but they actively do damage to the private economy. We don’t need an EPA. In a… Continue reading

Arrogance and Modesty

…, including to understate your own known (or even obvious) strengths and accomplishments, is a sign of virtue. This is ridiculous, and it’s also inconsistent unless you’re prepared to claim that departures from truth and reality constitute virtue. If modesty is virtue, then lying is too. Arrogance, while not any more excusable than modesty, is, in a sense, an understandable reaction against the distortions of modesty. “I’m supposed to pretend I ha… Continue reading

A Healthy Outlook is Better than Some Arbitrary Label

…gether. You can’t put a price on that, and you can’t excuse them away with complicated-sounding psychiatric labels. Young children will not develop a confident sense of life unless adults consistently communicate it through language and behavior. Pills can’t do it. Time and effort will. Children must be shown that their thinking skills, not cool backpacks and iPhones, are the crucial components of self-esteem and happiness. Even the best teachers… Continue reading

Beware of Toxic People! They’re Bad for your Health

…ed suggests: “Treasure those who bring positivity.” It’s easier than you think, and it will make all the difference in your happiness.   Follow Dr. Hurd on Facebook. Search under “Michael Hurd” (Rehoboth Beach DE). Get up-to-the-minute postings, recommended articles and links, and engage in back-and-forth discussion with Dr. Hurd on topics of interest. Also follow Dr. Hurd on Twitter at @MichaelJHurd1, and see “Michael Hurd” on MeWe…. Continue reading

Perspective is Everything

…lly when raising a child. So, a little conflict for your sister and brother-in-law might actually be good, provided they manage that conflict and the resulting dialogue in a rational way. We have to be realistic here. By the time the child turns eighteen or so, he or she might have formed conclusions that are at odds with what was taught. So is all this torment worth the destruction of their relationship? Teaching a child a certain set of values,… Continue reading

What Therapy Isn’t

…he’ll use for drugs.’ Well, you can’t do both of those things. Another example: ‘I want to please everybody and be liked by everyone; but I also want to do what’s important to me.’ Sorry, these two needs will eventually conflict and you’ll have to make a choice. A major purpose of cognitive therapy is to help people identify (and hopefully correct) conflicting ideas. It’s not always easy, but logic and facts will work every time. 6. A therapist ma… Continue reading

10 Myths About “Getting Help”

…apy isn’t something that’s done “to” you, like an appendectomy. It’s a partnership between the therapist and client where they work together to change and improve the client’s way of thinking.     Follow Dr. Hurd on Facebook. Search under “Michael Hurd” (Charleston SC). Get up-to-the-minute postings, recommended articles and links, and engage in back-and-forth discussion with Dr. Hurd on topics of interest. Also follow Dr. Hurd on Twitter at @Mich… Continue reading

ObamaCare North

…ommunity organizer. But somehow, when it comes to the vast and life-saving complexity that is modern medicine, we’re supposed to count on the alleged “compassion” and “caring” of government bureaucrats to deliver it to us. In Canada, you’re getting exactly what political control over experts can always be expected to deliver: Rudeness, incompetence and bureaucracy. Once private ownership goes, compassion and good treatment go with it. It’s no diff… Continue reading

A More Personal Take on Thanksgiving

…good life have gained as much ground as they have. And I give thanks to the real flesh-and-blood people who, through their choices and in pursuit of their own personal goals, make it possible.     Follow Dr. Hurd on Facebook. Search under “Michael Hurd” (Charleston SC). Get up-to-the-minute postings, recommended articles and links, and engage in back-and-forth discussion with Dr. Hurd on topics of interest. Also follow Dr. Hurd on Twitter at @Mich… Continue reading