Understanding the Dynamics of Workaholism—Perfectionism
Workaholism and PerfectionismOur topic is the particular role that perfectionism plays in our understanding of one of the interacting dynamics of workaholism—that perfectionism leads to obsession, and...
View ArticleHow Will the DSM V Changes in Autism Affect People?
There's been a lot of talk about how the upcoming DSM V definition of autism will affect people on the spectrum. Last week's NY Times and ABC News stories really got people talking, especially when...
View ArticleThe Amazing Technicolor Synesthesia Coat
Carrie C. Firman's jacket slays me.The brilliant young synesthetic artist and author has fitted the dark overcoat with different colored LED lights that glow in the places she has chronic pain from...
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Carry Your Brain in Your Pocket
Whether your musical taste is Bono, Billie Holiday or Celine Dion, you can customize playlists (a combination of your favorite songs) to keep you in an optimized mindset throughout the day. And it's...
View ArticleThe Secret of Credit
Trust Is the Glue . . .Most of us view trust as valuable and desirable, something that improves the quality of our personal lives. We seldom take the next step and view it as indispensable, a vital...
View ArticleMy College Friend Suddenly Cut Off Our Friendship
A friend who is dumped wants to know how to assuage her guiltQUESTION Dear Irene, While I was in college I decided to room with one of my really good friends that I had made at school. Things seemed to...
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Quiet Excitement
This week, I feel like a little girl at Christmas, anticipating opening the gift I have been waiting for. Susan Cain's book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, comes out...
View ArticleFighting Fire With Fire: Psychology Lessons From Newt
If psychology is your game, the opening exchange between Newt Gingrich and John King in last Thursday's Republican debate is not just this week's hottest news item, but the most revealing study in...
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What Matters to You and Why?
If you want to truly connect with someone, talk about what matters...what really matters! Too often we interact with others (and make judgments about them as well) based on very superficial information...
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The Malignant Divorce: Has NASA Gone Postal?
Heaven has no rage like love betrayed We owe the term "going postal" to a series of killing sprees instigated by postal workers. It would seem that, sadly, a new term "going NASA" is in the...
View ArticleLaura's law and Kendra's Law Bandages and Bondage
Laura's Law and Kendra's Law are for anyone who has, has had, or appears to have a mental illness, scary legislations. These two laws in California and New York and copied by other states require a...
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Breaking Up is Awkward--But Needn't Trigger Depression
Few people relish endings. Both job loss and relationship endings can feel awkward to the initiator and awful to the receiver. It is possible though to handle a termination in a way that minimizes...
View ArticlePowerful Psychiatrists Push False Theory on Unknowing Souls
NPR Broadcast Reveals Shockingly Demeaning Views of PatientsIt is widely believed that National Public Radio has a liberal bias. Let us then consider the following: Yesterday on "Morning Edition,"(1)...
View ArticleLife Lessons From a Poodle
It has been said that we live in the information age. Most people have more access to more information–fact, fiction, reality, opinion…–than ever before. Simultaneously we live in an age where the...
View ArticleTime is the currency of self-esteem
"How do I give my child a self-esteem?" "If my child doesn't get a [fill in with sticker, souvenir, lollipop, trophy etc] won't that damage his self-esteem?" People ask me lots of questions about...
View ArticleThe Jews and Capitalism
I. IntroductionThere is no doubt that at least in some sense, there is a love hate relationship between Jews and Capitalism.On the one hand, there is a strong tradition of support for socialism,...
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The Curious Incident of the Fish Sticks in the Nighttime
I stared at my plate of fish sticks, tater tots, and cold green peas. After a two hour-long staring contest, I knew every ridge of minced fried fish and every contour of pea almost by heart. Despite my...
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Breaking A Glass Ceiling With a Bat and a Ball: How Women Influence Sports
It's about this time of year, as football winds down and the Super Bowl approaches, that sports fans like me start their countdown to MLB Spring Training. Twenty three days, 16 hours and 45 minutes to...
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A Dream That Leads To A Nightmare
Last night, I had a dream. I was in a store with family, and I an outburst, what we in the autism community call a meltdown. As the stress and frustration boiled over, I had to get out. So I...
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90 Minute Checkup - A Doctor's Discovery of Health
I remember waiting at the doctor's office. I filled out the 4 to 5 pages of personal information. Carefully laid out the medications I had been prescribed and the reasons why I was being referred. I...
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