A perfectionist enters treatment for depression and anxiety. They inform their therapist that nothing ever feels right or meaningful. They … More
Tag: Depression
Can Others Respect You if You Don’t Respect Yourself First?
“How do you expect anyone to respect you when you don’t respect yourself?” is akin to the platitude that you … More
The Terrified Cynic: Why Some Prefer Depression to Anxiety
We fear life as much as death. And our cynicism, a persistent sense of hopelessness, is little more than a … More
Perfectionism Is a Form of Self-Deception
Perfectionism is the ultimate form of self-deception. Perfectionists tend to fluctuate between believing they’re perfect, resisting the notion that they caused … More
The Dark Side of Denying Our Own Envy
Few emotions are denied as vehemently as envy. Envy implies weakness like few others. Many of our younger patients find … More
Obsessed with Control: Addressing Perfectionism and Codependence
For some, asking for help feels like a threat; the need to do so invariably makes them feel inferior. “Why … More
Why Am I Afraid to Feel My Feelings?
For some, potential, negative experiences, like harm or death, carry the weight of their biggest fears. For others, their own, … More
Addicted to Hope
In his autobiography, Based on a True Story, comedian Norm Macdonald details his years long gambling addiction, which cost him … More
The Responsibility Dodger: Avoiding the Blame Game
Some people will watch you burn and pretend they had nothing to do with it, or worse, that you did … More
The Dependent Personality and the Savior Therapist
Humans, like animals in pain, recoil from any perceived threat by hiding. Rejection sensitivity, common to various forms of personality … More
