This article is based on a workbook I wrote a decade ago called, “What to Do When You’re Too Depressed to Think.” Thus the title. The book hit 200 pages, which means this post waxes on the long side. So sorry for the long-windedness. Hang in there as you read it, and take lots of […]
Difficult roommate: how to solve conflict without killing someone
It would be nice if we had a magic wand that calmed people down and solved conflict with a flurry of the stick, but things aren’t so easy. Consider the following situation. You ask your new roommate to remove her belongings from your shelf in the bathroom. You don’t mean anything bad by it. She’s […]
Freud: what’s the defense mechanism of the day?
In the language of Freud, defense mechanisms are the unconscious things we do to deal with difficult emotion or stress. They are kind of like absent-minded coping skills, and we all use them. They’re natural and normal. They help us deal with life struggles. But, just like coping skills, defense mechanisms come in different flavors. […]
Defense Mechanisms: What would you do?
Picture this scenario: You’re a college student. You’ve been working very hard on a paper for class when Don, another student, steals the paper and presents it to the professor himself. The professor is impressed with Don and gives him an A, then dings you for copying him. You can’t prove that you’re the original […]
Muscle Relaxation Exercises
Muscle relaxation can be helpful for anxiety, as well as for anger, stress, insomnia, and agitation. People with stress or anxiety often feel so keyed up during the day that they don’t even remember what it’s like to be calm. Muscle relaxation exercises release the tension in the muscles and help a person relax, lowering […]
Overcoming Guilt
Guilt is about feeling bad, even disliking ourselves, over something we did or didn’t do in the past. Guilt can be normal: the fact that we feel it proves that we have compassion for others. At the same time, guilt can become so toxic and destructive that it overwhelms, and that’s when it’s time to […]
How to build self-esteem
Many people feel bad about themselves at times. Self-esteem is a complicated entity, influenced by many factors, including morality, spiritual beliefs, the approval of family and friends, environment, childhood experiences, and general sense of well-being. Negative life events, physical illness, problematic relationships, and loss of control can all undermine self-esteem. If you believe you suffer […]
What do I do with all this anger?
“Speak when you are angry, and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.” — Ambrose Bierce Maybe your anger is a little out of control? Or maybe it’s big-time explosive and desperately needs reigning in? Or is it just that people around you are hinting you need anger management classes? No matter […]