Ask the Psychologist: Online Clinical Psychologist

Protecting My Family Against My Abusive, Controlling Mom

Dr George Simon, PhD — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:08:18 +0000

Q: Wow! Your question and answer article “Is My Controlling and Manipulative Mother Punishing Me?” fits my mother to a tee. Reading the article was a real eye opener for me. I’m 43 years old, and my mother still tells me every move she expects me to make. And if everything doesn’t happen exactly like she [...]

Tags: abuse and trauma, boundaries, relationships, responsibility

Just One ‘Top Dog’: Rooming With a Narcissist Like Myself

Dr George Simon, PhD — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:16:09 +0000

Q: I have a roommate who is also a close friend. We have gotten along great the entire time we have known each other and have so much in common that it’s a little scary sometimes. One way we’re alike is that we are both very self-confident, and I would be the first to say [...]

Tags: aggression, narcissism, personality disorders, relationships, social skills

Great Relationship Except for Pornography Addiction

Dr George Simon, PhD — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:09:58 +0000

Q: Your website has been quite informative for me and I appreciate the opportunity to ask a question. I am suffering the effects of being in a relationship with someone who is addicted to pornography. We have been together for two years now, and we have a great relationship with no problems except for the addiction [...]

Tags: boundaries, relationships, self-esteem, sexuality, therapy

Finding the Optimal Medications for ADHD

Dr George Simon, PhD — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:43:56 +0000

Q: My son has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. I’m frustrated because we’re still searching for a medication that is a good fit for him. He has been on Ritalin LA, Concerta, Focalin, Daytrana Patch, and Strattera. The problem with the Ritalin-type drugs is a blinking issue, which is much like a tic. This was interfering [...]

Tags: ADHD, medications, neurotransmitter, parenting and children, psychiatry

One of Us is Too Dependent to Make this Relationship Work

Dr George Simon, PhD — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:04:01 +0000

Q: I am asking for advice about my relationship with a man. He is my friend and was also crazy about me. I do feel love for him. But he is engaged and also appears to have Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD). I’m a much more independent and clear-minded person, whereas he is too dependent and [...]

Tags: marriage, personality disorders, relationships

Is It Just Me, or Do I Have Grounds for Mistrust?

Dr George Simon, PhD — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:42:04 +0000

Q: I’ve been with this girl for over 3 years. Two months ago, I proposed marriage to her. A couple of months before I proposed, I picked up on the fact that she always seemed preoccupied about something. She was also not as available to me as usual and was frequently late coming home. She [...]

Tags: affair, marriage, relationships

How Can I Change My Abusive Boyfriend?

Dr George Simon, PhD — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:36:52 +0000

Q: I am a 22-year-old female who has been dating my now 34-year-old boyfriend for 5 years. After the first year of our relationship his true character became evident to me. He is an alcoholic who, when drunk, becomes violent toward only me. I’ve spent the past 4 years of my relationship being physically and emotionally [...]

Tags: abuse and trauma, depression, relationships, self-esteem, stockholm syndrome, suicide

About to Marry a Man With Paranoid Delusions

Dr George Simon, PhD — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:26:54 +0000

Q: I am currently engaged and am about to move overseas to join my fiancé in England. At first everything was fine and we were very happy. Lately, however, he has become extremely paranoid and believes that I am cheating on him. It is to the point that he even believes he can hear another [...]

Tags: delusions, hallucinations, marriage, neurotransmitter, paranoia, psychiatry, relationships

Stepsister Just Another Member of the Family to Suffer Mental Illness

Dr George Simon, PhD — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:44:02 +0000

Q: My stepsister just revealed to me that she believes that an old boyfriend from thirty years ago is communicating with her through songs on the radio and monitoring her through her cell phone. She also claims she saw him at a restaurant, but he denied that he knew her. My stepsister’s mother had severe schizophrenia [...]

Tags: delusions, paranoia, psychiatry, relationships, schizophrenia, siblings, therapy

Is My Ex-Boyfriend and Current Friend a Sociopath?

Dr George Simon, PhD — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:24:03 +0000

Q: I have known my ex-boyfriend for 7 years. We still speak to each other now as friends. He’s mentioned before that he is a sociopath. But I was wondering whether a professional would see him that way. My friend never met his dad. He left his mum when she was pregnant at 16. When [...]

Tags: abuse and trauma, character disturbance, personality disorders, relationships, therapy

Necessary Discipline or Traumatic Experience?

Dr George Simon, PhD — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:00:13 +0000

Q: When I was 6 years old, I threatened my mom with a kitchen knife. I didn’t have any real intentions to use it. I was tired and mad at her for some reason or another, and it just sort of happened. After she took the knife away from me, she told my father. My [...]

Tags: abuse and trauma, parenting and children, PTSD, therapy

I am Afraid My Therapist Doesn’t Like Me

Dr George Simon, PhD — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:06:45 +0000

Q: I have heard and read that if you think your therapist does not like you, you should find another one. Is this true? I was under the impression that it didn’t matter whether they liked you or not because a good therapist should be able to put your best interests first and do their [...]

Tags: ethics, relationships, therapy

Rebuilding Teenage Freedom Lost Due to Lack of Trust

Dr George Simon, PhD — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:50:45 +0000

Q: I’m contacting you because I need some advice. I’m 14 years old, and I have problems with my mom 24/7. Instead of playing the blame game, let me tell you how things got started. Last year, I sneaked out of my house to go to a night club and got caught. This year, I got [...]

Tags: parenting and children, relationships, social skills, therapy

Lying and Manipulating: Is It Just Who She Is?

Dr George Simon, PhD — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:49:24 +0000

Q: Is there a particular kind of mental condition or disorder that causes someone to lie, manipulate, and deceive others constantly to get their way? This person I know seems to be in denial whenever confronted about this and acts as if nothing is wrong. This person also has a difficult family life, but I’m [...]

Tags: anxiety and stress, character disturbance, personality disorders, relationships, therapy

HOCD and Unhappy: Will I Ever Be Normal?

Dr George Simon, PhD — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:40:31 +0000

Q: I am a young male, and I have been diagnosed with HOCD. I have just a few questions: It has gotten extremely bad lately and to the point where I worry my brain might be convinced that I am actually attracted to males. Is that possible? Can an obsession get that bad? If so, what [...]

Tags: CBT, medications, OCD, sexuality, therapy

OK With Being Gay — But Not With My Shyness

Dr George Simon, PhD — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:26:08 +0000

Q: I am 15 years old, and although I’ve known that I was gay for a really long time, I’ve been in denial until just this year. Growing up I was always closer to the girls and used to play with dolls and stuff. My cousins and friends used to make fun of me, and even [...]

Tags: relationships, self-esteem, sexuality, social skills

Mom is Anxious in Social Situations

Dr George Simon, PhD — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:10:50 +0000

Q: I am writing to get some advice about my Mom. She is a very big-hearted woman, but she has some really serious psychological issues and really needs help. My mom is absolutely terrified of being judged. She has very high anxiety and stress, and over the last 2 years she has “lost her voice” and [...]

Tags: anxiety and stress, depression, medications, social skills, therapy