A fantasy that life should be perfect and goals achieved without effort often lies behind procrastination, the inability to set goals, and different forms of artistic inhibition such as writer’s block.
A Psychodynamic Perspective on Idealization Read More »
A raging child-like part of ourselves may lie at the root of depression and other difficulties.
The Rebelliousness of My Inner “Brat†Read More »
Depression may reflect a basic hopelessness about one’s internal damage, where the only “solution” is felt to be a magical one. This dynamic is characteristic of bipolar disorder.
Hopeless Problems, Perfect Answers in Bipolar Disorder Read More »
Self-criticism may disguise anger about unmet expectations for ourselves and our lives.
Self-Hatred and Self-Criticism Read More »
Hatred in politics, as in human relations, makes thinking impossible and prevents resolution of our differences.
Hatred in Politics Read More »
Hyper-competitiveness and a focus on the winning, with contempt for losers, often reflects a defense against underlying feelings of shame and inferiority.
Winners and Losers Read More »
Excessive verbal thought prevents you from coming into contact with your actual experience.
Breathe More, Think Less Read More »
Each of us can bear differing degrees of separation and distance from our loved ones.
Separation and Merger Read More »
Through internal dialogs and scenarios, we can induce particular emotional states within ourselves, without any outside source of stimulation.
Your Emotional Playlist Read More »
Personal growth involves learning to feel deeply, however painful those feelings may be, and to think clearly about our experience.
The (Sometimes) Awful Truth Read More »