Why we feel down at the end of the year and what we can do about it. The holidays are painted to be a time of love and cheer, but for many people, the winter months and the close of another year can be tough. The gloomy weather can wear on us. Family visits can… Read more »
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What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? When we think of obsessive compulsive disorder, different images come to mind: the film character who won’t step on sidewalk cracks or the co-worker who uses tissue to open doors. Obsessive compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder that can disrupt people’s lives causing them to engage in repetitious behaviors to… Read more »
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Like most process addictions, compulsive spending and shopping serves an unconscious purpose. The purpose is typically specific to each individual and while out of one’s awareness, a yearning seeks to be filled. This is where the process of shopping and spending come into play. Assessing the behaviors, intentions, and emotions underlying compulsive spending and shopping… Read more »
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The risks of indulging in cynical attitudes and the rewards of being positive Whether it’s a lazy co-worker who calls in sick every Monday or a flaky friend who always bails at the last minute, there’s always something (or someone) in our lives that can make us cynical. Like an ill-fitting sweater, cynicism can be… Read more »
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Generosity is no longer the selfless act we’ve long thought it to be. Studies now suggest that one of the biggest benefactors of generosity is the person who is dishing it out. Like a healthy diet, exercise, and good genes, generosity may increase your life span. A 2003 research study at the University of Michigan… Read more »
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[This blog contains excerpts from an interview with Dr. Robert Firestone by Fred Branfman, political activist and author of Voices from the Plain of Jars] Part I: Fred Branfman: In our culture the idea of being vulnerable is associated with being fearful, anxious, and weak. For example, politicians and business leaders tend to project an… Read more »
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Watch Dr. Dan Siegel explain how you can change your own brain. See More of Dr. Dan Siegel’s Interview Contrary to what we used to believe we now know that the brain is open to change throughout the lifespan. And what some people don’t realize is that not only can the brain change, but we… Read more »
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Who Killed It? Several factors have been proposed to explain the gradual demise of psychoanalysis and depth therapy, including the prolonged treatment time inherent in the process, monetary considerations, the time constraints of managed care, and the increased medicalization of psychology. However, I believe that this demise is closely related to an implicit cultural movement… Read more »
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No woman likes to be called “catty.” But most of us can’t deny the times when our competitive feelings have slipped out by way of a sarcastic dig or a cutting comment. Just think of all those little statements we unleash, only to instantly (at least somewhat) regret it. That whisper to a friend about… Read more »
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Studies are now showing what many of you may have suspected: We are living in an increasingly narcissistic society. In a world where prime-time television is dominated by a “reality” as false as the Kardashians’ lashes, and people sit across dinner tables checking in on Facebook rather than having face-to-face conversations, this may not come… Read more »
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