Dr. Dale’s Journal. Part 3: FALLOUT (Radiation)

Dr. Dale’s Journal: Entry Three on Joys of Radiation For this entry to make sense, you’ll need to have read Diagnosis Black and Hemlock. Introductory Dr. Dale Memory Story: Dr. Dale Maxwell, psychiatrist and buddy, has been diagnosed. He has less than two years to live. My husband and I …

Continue reading

Is There Life Beyond Work, Possessions, and Entertainment?

Is There Life Beyond Work, Possessions, and Entertainment? This question bothered me from an early age, perhaps because I’ve been an always busy, prove-yourself-through-accomplishment sort of person. But there was a moment when I realized I wanted a deeper connection with life. The memory sounds kind of goofy which is …

Continue reading

Fusion and Relationship Dependency from “Psychology for Dummies” Page

            Fusion and Relationship Dependency from “Psychology for Dummies” Page A high degree of fusion or togetherness is reflected when two people have a hyper-sensitivity to each other. This intensity takes one of two forms: “I can’t do without you” or “I can’t stand to …

Continue reading

The Lady Who Thought She Liked Football

The Lady Who Thought She Liked Football Relationship Dependence, “I’m Okay if You’re Okay with Me” What is Fusion? When does fusion become relationship dependency? This article is a follow up to discussion of Jodi Picoult’s book The Pact. Fusion is the process in which one person’s feelings are intertwined …

Continue reading

Dr. Dale’s Journal: Diagnosis Black

Dale Maxwell, M.D., (October 3, 1939-June 24, 1997). The results are in. You are going to die soon. What Would You Do? If you’re like me, you’ve wondered how you’d face a really terrifying diagnosis. Bravely? Prayerfully? Drunkenly? I picture myself running around the neighborhood from house to house banging …

Continue reading

What Changes in Relationships when Anxiety Increases?

What Changes in Relationships when Anxiety Increases?  From an article by Hal DeShong, Ph.D., P.C. ** This article is for reference with Distance in Relationships: Take a Trip on The Darjeeling Limited (Owen Wilson.) There are four biologically based anxiety-binding mechanisms [Four actions we likely initiate when we are anxious …

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