Introverts, Extroverts, and Social Anxiety

Introverts, Extroverts, and Social Anxiety

Betty is not shy. Shyness is a fear of social judgment that causes people to withdraw from social settings. When shyness is extreme, we call it social anxiety. Betty isn’t afraid of social situations. She doesn’t fear parties. She just dislikes them. Betty is what we...
LOSING GRACEFULLY

LOSING GRACEFULLY

Emma started the discussion in my parenting class with the following story:   My daughter and I were playing an exciting game of CandyLand. Her entire four-year-old face was intently focused on the board as she skipped her card across two red spaces. She was very...
The Psychological Quick-Fix Fending off the Blues

The Psychological Quick-Fix Fending off the Blues

“I feel like I’m just in a slump,” says Miriam. “Nothing exciting happened recently. Nothing exciting is going to happen. After the holiday break, we went straight back into school, and it’s like every teacher couldn’t wait to pounce on us with tons of work. It’s just...
The Stories We Tell Ourselves

The Stories We Tell Ourselves

Sandra seethed as she drove home from her sister-in-law’s house. “I know what I should have said to her,” she muttered, as she looked for a parking space. “It’s too bad I’m not the kind of person who says what she really thinks!” She stomped up the stairs to her...