A lot of people struggle with the challenge of trying not only to feel good about themselves but, more urgently, trying to avoid feeling bad or really bad about themselves. When individuals understand the primary psychological dynamics that produce self-doubt, … [Read more...] about How to Love Yourself
Inner Critic
Answers to Questions from Readers (Part 5)
Readers often send me emails with their comments and questions. The seven queries that I respond to here deal primarily with inner passivity. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of inner passivity, you might first read this post. My responses to the queries below are in … [Read more...] about Answers to Questions from Readers (Part 5)
An Insightful Case of Self-Injury
It’s worrisome and disheartening to realize just how many people around the world regularly engage in self-injury or self-harm. They cut or burn their skin, pull their hair, scratch and interfere with wound healing, bang or hit the body, or swallow sharp objects or toxic … [Read more...] about An Insightful Case of Self-Injury
Escape the Misery of Moodiness
“I drink and eat in moderation,” a client told me. “I go to bed at a reasonable hour. I love my wife and kids. The only thing I binge on is irritability and restlessness. I’m a bundle of blue moods.” His blue moods, as he described them, were not agonizingly painful, yet he … [Read more...] about Escape the Misery of Moodiness
Paris and Our Discontents
My anguish at the terrorist attacks last week in Paris has aroused some passionate intensity. Here is my response, which is more in the form of an op-ed piece than my usual expository postings. As much as we despise the murderous maniacs of the Islamic State, they have, like … [Read more...] about Paris and Our Discontents