Q: I grew up an extremely shy kid. I was an only child and lived in a big house in the woods with very busy parents. My parents were wonderful, but didn’t communicate well, didn’t show emotions, and had really high expectations. Growing up, I had very few friends and very little to no social [...]

Q: I have read Dr George Simon’s description of psychological manipulation techniques. (Editor’s note: see Dr Simon’s series on Manipulation Tactics and Impression Management and Tools of Personal Empowerment: How Not to Be Manipulated. Also see Psychopathy 101.) I believe that I match a lot of those. I can also say that I exhibit characteristics [...]

Q: I am wondering what I can expect from joint counseling sessions with my mother, who has a Cluster B Personality Disorder. Though I am comfortable with low to no contact (as are my children and my husband), I do sometimes long for a normal relationship with my mother and for her to have a [...]

Q: I am 19 years old, and I’m reasonably sure I have Avoidant Personality Disorder. I understand when someone diagnoses themselves they’re usually wrong, but I’ve spent a considerable amount of time researching it. I feel extremely sensitive to rejection and have only one good friend (who I can trust is “safe”), and the only [...]

Q: My co-worker, a 47-year-old woman, seemed very nice at first. But as time went by things got bad. The first issue involved a phone call. I answered the office phone, as this lazy woman was on the other line. The caller was the woman’s son. I said “your mom’s on the other line; I’m [...]

Q: I’m a 16-year-old girl. I have been told my whole life that I have two personalities. Recently this has become a serious issue. People have told me I suddenly act aggressively — that I hit, swear, and throw things — then behave as if I have done nothing wrong. It’s like I am aggressive [...]

Q: If an infant is exposed to loud, screaming arguments right next to him (usually in the arms of one of the people involved in the argument) and then usually becomes completely silent for several minutes, even if previously crying before the screaming began, what effect could this be having on the infant? Thank you [...]