2009 February | PsychSense: Sensible Psychological Solutions

Women: Ask For What You Want! A Question From a Reader

Hi Dr. Duffy,

I read your bah humbug blog about Valentines Day and must admit that if I were single, I’d definitely do a few of those!!
But I am not single and my husband of almost 40 years forgot last year to get me anything and said “it’s just another day. what about me?” this year he has been ill and not able to get out but I still feel he could do SOMETHING, like maybe just tell me something extra nice.�
Anyway, any ideas on how to soothe myself about this?

Thanks,

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Lessons From A Violent Crisis

February 15, 2009 Crises, violence No Comments

: Peace in times of Crisis

I did some crisis intervention today with workers at an organization where a fired employee had killed 2 staff members. I have been going over it in my mind, and two lessons remain in my head.

Remember the best predictor of violence is a past history of violence. We must know a person’s history if we are to evaluate them for violence potential. Today with so much fear about being sued people are often overly cautious about sharing information with others. Remember it is not slander if it is true!

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Valentines Day: Bah Humbug

February 10, 2009 Coping, Miscellaneous No Comments

This is one of the worst days of the year if you are wanting a relationship but are without one. Bah Humbug you think, but thats not what you feel. So what can you do to feel better?

Here are 10 Ideas to Help you get Through the Day.

Stay up the night before and work then you can sleep the following day away.
Go to a movie about bad relationships. (How about fatal attraction).
Spend time with a couple who is always bickering.
Go sit in divorce court for the day.

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Suicide in US Soldiers in Iraq

February 4, 2009 Crises, Depression, Suicide 1 Comment

The Suicide rate in US soldiers in Iraq is higher then it’s been in years. According to CNN, every day, five U.S. soldiers try to kill themselves. Before the Iraq war began, that figure was less than one suicide attempt a day.

I was thinking about this and wondering why this was so much worse then in the past. What I thought might be a contributing factor is the new military policy of extending duty time at will. This is very hard on soldiers or anyone for that matter. As we all know, you can live through almost anything when there is an end in site. However, when the end time is unsure, or can get extended or put off at any time for unknown reasons, those affected feel out of control, helpless and hopeless.

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