Mental health

Self-criticism may disguise anger about unmet expectations for ourselves and our lives.

Hyper-competitiveness and a focus on the winning, with contempt for losers, often reflects a defense against underlying feelings of shame and inferiority.

Each of us can bear differing degrees of separation and distance from our loved ones.

Personal growth involves learning to feel deeply, however painful those feelings may be, and to think clearly about our experience.

A mixture of love and hostility toward our intimates is a fact of psychic life, but difficult for most of us to acknowledge and tolerate.