The Thirteen Brooms: Criticism and Anxiety

The Thirteen Brooms Criticism Is an Expression of Anxiety To be married is to be criticized. To be a child is to be criticized. To be a parent is to be criticized. To grow up in a world not designed to meet our needs above all others–is to be criticized. …

Continue reading

Psychology in Real Life: Diagnosis, Good News or Bad News?

Psychology in Real Life: Diagnosis, Good News or Bad News? So now you have a diagnosis for someone else or for yourself. Should you tattoo the bar code across your forehead or would it be best to fold that little sheet of paper into a tiny square and tuck it …

Continue reading

“I’m Okay if You’re Okay and My Family, Your Family, and Friends are Okay”

“I’m Okay if You’re Okay and My Family, Your Family, and Friends are Okay”‘ The Pact by Jodi Picoult, Part Three **This article is not a standard review but a discussion of how the story weaves in lessons in psychology and behavior. To make sense of the following, you will need to …

Continue reading

Stress Relief: Kid in the Shower Cap Saves the Day!

My husband and I had taken the three nieces and one nephew on a trip through New Mexico. On one late afternoon the nephew was getting the worse of it from his sister and cousins. Everyone was tense and the nephew, a bit irritable, began to focus on how he …

Continue reading

Dreams, Goals. How to Get Stuff Done (Re-set. Accidental Deletion)

Dreams, Goals. How to Get Stuff Done  (Re-set. Accidental Deletion) mysteryshrinkJune 11, 2015Anxiety, Depression, Front Page Dreams, Goals. How to Get Stuff Done The lead photograph is a picture of Alvin Bailey, the head groom at the stable when I was a kid, a beloved friend, and one of my …

Continue reading

“Should You Care What Other People Think?” Self Esteem vs. Self Centered.

Should You Care What Other People Think?  Self Esteem vs. Self Centered. You might be surprised at the answer.  The ways concern for “what other people think” influences our lives is not simple.  Knee-jerk responses are not answers.   Sometimes ‘caring what other people think’ is about more than a …

Continue reading

“What’s Wrong with You?” Criticism, Part Two.

“What’s Wrong with You?” Criticism, Part Two. Dateline: In the air over New Mexico, American Airlines Flight 78. It’s crowded up here in the clouds because New Mexicans levitate with the ease that you and I eat breakfast. I almost talked myself out of writing this element of “Conquering Criticism …

Continue reading