Practicing PSYCHOLOGIST

05/28/2026

05/23/2026

Ever wondered where the line is between "looking out for each other" and just plain nosy? This deep dive into the world of neighborhood busybodies uncovers the wildest stories of overstepping neighbors—from the self-appointed lawn police to the permanent window-watchers. Whether you’re dealing with a gossip queen or just curious about the science behind why people can’t look away, this look at the "Block Talk" phenomenon is a must-read for anyone who’s ever had a neighbor know a little too much about their life.

Gossip has always had a terrible reputation. A sin against charity, they said, quoting St. Paul. The odd, vivid term sometimes used for it was backbiting. The word suggested a sudden, predatory leap...

05/12/2026

Where Is the Off Ramp for Psychotropic Medications?

We need better standards for when and how to taper or discontinue these drugs

03/28/2026

Most people are told to fight
until the very end.

More treatment.
More machines.
More time — at any cost.

But many doctors choose differently.

They’ve seen how it goes.

So they choose
less intervention…
and more presence.

Not because they’ve given up —
but because they understand.

In the end,
it’s not just about
how long you live…

but how you live
while you’re still here.

Palliative care decisions are sensitive and complex, but the desire for a good death is as universal as the fact of dying

03/27/2026

A psychologist studied “lucky” and “unlucky” people…

And found something surprising:

It wasn’t talent.
It wasn’t money.
It wasn’t fate.

It was what they paid attention to.

Your brain is constantly filtering reality.

So if you focus on:
• What could go wrong
• Who might reject you
• Why things won’t work

You’ll see more of that.

Not because life is against you—
but because your attention is trained that way.

“Lucky” people tend to do something different:

• They stay open
• They notice opportunities
• They act on small chances

Same world.
Different focus.

The shift isn’t magic.

It’s attention.

And what you train your mind to see
can quietly change the direction of your life.

02/09/2026

The "Illusion of Moral Superiority"

Double Standards: Individuals often hold themselves to a higher standard in their own minds than they apply to others.

Filtering through a Moral Lens: By filtering everything through a moral lens, these individuals view opposing views not just as incorrect, but as unethical or malicious.

Identity Protection: Changing one's mind feels like giving up their identity. Consequently, they attack those who think differently rather than considering their points valid.

It’s virtually impossible to live up entirely to one’s own moral code, as we are all humans that make mistakes.

02/04/2026

Every human being experiences a range of problematic emotions, cognitions and behaviors across the life span. When does a problem become a disorder? To answer the question in part, mental health professionals can utilize the “four Ds”, danger, deviance, dysfunction and distress to conceptualize mental disorders.

01/18/2026

In psychology, confirmation bias and "birds of a feather" (homophily) are closely linked phenomena where individuals actively seek out, favor, and associate with people and information that align with their existing beliefs, attitudes, and traits. While confirmation bias acts as a cognitive filter that ignores contradictory information, "birds of a feather" acts as a social filter that leads people to form relationships with similar others.

01/05/2026

“Passive-aggression often manifests in not doing some required or helpful action.” This means a tardy pickup to inconvenience or booking you the middle airplane seat when you’re tall and need the extra leg room. It’s an upset teen leaving the family car a mess when he knows you’re driving a neighbor in it the next day.

Passive aggression, rooted in hidden anger, is not one-size-fits-all. Three subtypes might leave you feeling resentful unless you learn how to assert for what you need instead.