Behind the apparent helplessness of people who suffer from extreme emotional dependency often lies a a secret and unacknowledged fantasy of controlling everybody around them and coercing them to adopt the role of caretakers.
Emotional Dependency and Stealth Control Read More »
In bipolar disorder, there’s an underlying fear that the internal damage is so pervasive it’s hopeless to do anything realistic to repair or improve it, leading to a search for magical solutions instead. This article illustrates these dynamics with a case study and discusses psychotherapy for those who suffer from bipolar disorder.
Psychotherapy Issues Arising from Bipolar Disorder Symptoms Read More »
Some people use their friends as a kind of “toilet” into which they can dump all their bad feelings. These individuals rely on a primitive kind of projection to evacuate experience they are unable to tolerate.
The Toilet Function of Friendship (and Other Relationships) Read More »
Autism symptoms may appear in other disorders though the person doesn’t reach the threshold for a full diagnosis of autism. Common autism symptoms displayed in such cases are flattening of emotion through the repetitive, circular use of words and music, and the deadening of relationships in which separation cannot be tolerated.
Autism Symptoms in Other Disorders Read More »
A mental inability to bear intense emotions often lies at the heart of anxiety attacks and disorders, where the person experiencing anxiety feels threatened by (and in danger of disintegration under the pressure of) emerging and unknown emotions.
Insufficient Mind in Anxiety Attacks and Disorders Read More »
A list of the ten most important signs and symptoms of depression, including some advice about how to make the most effective use of online resources for depression.
What ’10 Signs of Depression in Men’ Won’t Tell You Read More »
Apparent altruism and compassion may actually be a way to feel good about oneself rather than to express real generosity toward others.
Compassion, Altruism and the True Spirit of Generosity Read More »
The movie ‘Avatar’ embodies a fantasy shared by many people that it’s possible to escape one’s earthly damaged self and become a superior being without defects.
‘Avatar’, Toxic Shame and Avoidance of Authentic Relationships Read More »
A case study of bulimia as a means to discuss unexpected emotions and feelings and how we try to get rid of them.
Unbearable Emotions and Feelings Read More »
Narcissistic people are usually waiting for their turn to make themselves the subject of conversation and have little real interest in other people.
Narcissistic Behavior and the Lost Art of Conversation Read More »