“Ask Dr Neuman” Advice Column
Why do people do self-destructive things? Even when those things feel bad? We all know men and women who do self-destructive things—the same things—over and over again. The list of these behaviors seems inexhaustible and extends into every aspect of life: work,...
The treatment of a worry In order for human beings to manage their lives, they have to accommodate to constantly changing circumstances. They have to adapt to the demands of daily life. So constant is this process that it goes unnoticed unless something goes wrong....
An Explanation of Trump’s Appeal A similar case Trump recently commented that his followers would continue to support him even if he openly shot someone in the street. He spoke with some pride but also, I thought, with just a little wonder. There is no telling just...
I no longer worry about the possibility of dying prematurely.
I grew up in Manhattan, and I do not remember anyone ever discussing the weather unless there was a hurricane coming—or a blizzard. In fact, I remember once, during a hurricane, going downstairs to buy a newspaper. I went for a piano lesson during a blizzard. Day to...
“Pride” is often used in different ways to describe different ways of feeling. Let me distinguish two different kinds of pride, one of which is motivating and satisfying, the other destructive and, sometimes, deadly. Pride in Achievement From the time we are...
The developmental stage squeezed between childhood and adulthood is called adolescence. It corresponds more or less with certain physical changes, like puberty, but is really defined more by psychological changes that have to take place in order for an...
Since I put up a post describing pure obsessions, a considerable number of readers have written to ask me if I know of a treatment center in their area. Usually, I do not. I recommend contacting The Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation. They know of trained therapists in...
At least, the reasons they give for staying married. Not infrequently, patients come to my office telling me in detail everything wrong with their marriages. These complaints are not unusual, but they are usually heart-felt. They include a whole range of misbehaviors...
I can’t see any deeper than anyone else. I think most of the people I know now, friends and acquaintances, treat me like everyone else. They do not seem to consider me to be any smarter or insightful just because I am a psychiatrist. And that is certainly the truth of...
With some regularity I read about psychological experts, or some quasi-therapeutic organizations, who have recommended to their members or readers that they tell themselves something or other: “Everyday I’m getting better in every way,” or “I can do this” or “I’m...
A personal history of passing out. A cardinal symptom of panic disorder is the sudden, inexplicable sense of an imminent loss of control. Panicky persons become afraid that if they do not leave wherever they happen to be when they suffer an attack and return to a...