The following questions are related to ‘Social Skills’ at Ask the Psychologist: Online Clinical Psychologist.
This list is sorted chronologically, from newest back to earliest.
Q: I am dating this girl right now, and she has a hard time understating why I hate using the term “boyfriend” and “girlfriend.” Basically I’ve told her that I feel it is a sophomoric term and highly overused, but she feels as though I’m overthinking the situation and am “ashamed” to be called this. [...]
Q: My daughter is losing all her girlfriends, and she has no clue as to why. I am very worried about how this is affecting her mentally and need some suggestions. She has always been happy and extremely friendly, and this is affecting her greatly. She is a beautiful 16-year-old girl, grade 11, and has [...]
Q: I’ve always had a lot of problems making and keeping friends. In fact, from grade one to grade 12 I only had one friend. I prefer to be alone most of the time, choosing to retreat into my room, instead of interacting and getting to know those around me. Relationships just come naturally to [...]
Q: My son has been involved in some internet websites called The Furries. In general, the people he converses with seem OK (I have conversed with some), but the whole “subculture” still seems odd and freakish to me. My son desperately wanted to attend a weekend Furry Convention where he would spend the weekend at [...]
Q: In your answer to the question entitled “Ending a Friendship with a Personality Disorder” you say: “Personality disorders make up 9 to 15 percent of the adult population. When we identify them, we protect ourselves by keeping them at a safe distance emotionally and socially.” As I have been diagnosed having a personality disorder, [...]
Q: My 2 1/2-year-old son has three half-siblings (8, 11 and 13) who live out of state. His siblings’ mother is pressuring us into setting up a webcam so that his siblings can “see him”. While this may make the three older half-siblings feel better about missing their half-brother, might it cause distress for the [...]
Q: I was wondering is there a common phenomenon or psychological term for being baffled by outlandish statements or irrational actions? I am often so perplexed when someone makes a blatantly ridiculous statement or behaves irrationally, that I don’t speak. This is not the case if someone gives a reasonable argument and I disagree — [...]
