How common is depression in men? According to the American Psychological Association, about 30% of men will experience an episode of depression in their lifetime. However, depression tends to effect men and women differently, and often goes undiagnosed in males. Whereas depressed women are more likely to report feelings of sadness and episodes of crying,… CONTINUE
How to Make the Most of Counseling and Therapy
If you are already in counseling, or you are considering working with a psychologist or therapist, four tips will help maximize your therapy process: 1. Take personal responsibility. On the one hand, counseling is a perfectly appropriate place to “vent” about your boss, your spouse, etc. On the other hand, you don’t want to get… CONTINUE
Self-Improvement versus Self-Acceptance
Although I started playing the guitar at age 12, I’ve never been as good as I want to be. For better or worse, I am a natural born practicer. I often spend so much time practicing the guitar I forget to spend time simply playing the thing. It’s as if some part of me feels… CONTINUE
Getting Unstuck
When you watch an episode of a scripted TV show, you’re following an A story and a B story. In the A story, for example, Bill is trying to pull off one last big heist. But no matter how much he racks his brain, he can’t figure out a way to get into the bank… CONTINUE
Are You Selfless or Selfish?
From a certain perspective, everything you do is selfish. Why do you do something “nice” for someone? Maybe you expect something in return. Maybe you’d feel guilty or socially awkward if you didn’t do it. Or maybe it just makes you feel good to do something nice. Whatever the case, you’re doing something because it somehow… CONTINUE
Balancing Your Relationship
In most romantic relationships, there are two roles: the pursuer and the pursued. When these roles are out of balance, the relationship suffers. The pursuer wants more togetherness. She wants more quality time with her partner, more communication, more physical and emotional closeness. She wants more commitment, and often feels she isn’t the main priority… CONTINUE
Are You Defensive?
What does it mean to be defensive? You have your personal story. I’m a hard working person just trying to avoid drama. Or I’m a kind and nurturing person who gets taken advantage of. You’ve cobbled together your story over time, you’ve worked hard to build this thing from the rubble of your life experience,… CONTINUE
Is Your Phone a Symptom?
I don’t have a cell phone. Once in a blue moon, like when I lock myself out of my car or home, I rethink this decision. For the past decade or so, I’ve considered getting a phone to leave in my car for emergency purposes. Yet somehow, I never quite get around to it. I’m… CONTINUE
Are You Living an Idea or an Experience?
Most people live the majority of their lives through ideas rather than direct experience. When I was younger, I had the idea that I liked camping. When I was a child, I did like camping so it gathers I did. However, as I grew older, some of the magic had worn off, only I hadn’t… CONTINUE
How Do You Find What You’re Looking For?
You come home from a long day, sit down on the couch and relax into some television. A couple of hours later, you realize you’ve misplaced your car keys. You assume they must be in the couch. You dig around beneath the cushions. You lift up the couch and poke your head underneath. Still no… CONTINUE