Mental Health

Dale Asks If His Childhood Caused His Social Anxiety

Dr. Dale Archer — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Dale was picked on as a child because he had a large birthmark on his forehead. Today he has severe social anxiety. He would like to overcome this, and wonders if he can do it on his own or if he needs medication.

Leonardo Overcame Munchausen by Proxy

Dr. Dale Archer — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Leonardo shares his new book, detailing how he overcame Munchausen by Proxy (do you know what this is?), child abuse and the subsequent PTSD. Not only did he overcome his past, but he even became a doctor to help others.

"Gun" Fantasizes About Putting It To Her Head

Dr. Dale Archer — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 06:00:00 GMT

"Gun" received just that for her birthday from her son. She came from a childhood and marriage of abuse and suffers from depression. At 63 she is starting to make friends for the first time. But now that she received this gun, she fantasizes about putting it to her temple and pulling the trigger, although she says she would never commit suicide and, ultimately, hurt her children.

Grace's Childhood Dictates The Low Self Esteem She Feels Today

Dr. Dale Archer — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Grace grew up listening to verbal abuse from family members. Now 52, she wants to overcome her low self-esteem, but doesn't know how. She slouches, talks quietly and fears others getting angry with her. She's tried reading self-help books, but nothing seems to work.

Julieta Asks: Should I Tell My Boyfriend About My Self Harm?

Dr. Dale Archer — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Julieta has attempted suicide 14 times; the last time was the day before she wrote this letter. She's in a relationship with a guy, and doesn't know whether to share her suicide attempts with him. She's afraid he is getting fed up with her drama already and fears if she divulges this to him it will ruin everything.

Tony's Girlfriend Still Self Harms

Dr. Dale Archer — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Tony broke up with his girlfriend this past summer due to her low self-esteem, but recently decided he wanted to get back. Now he finds out that things are much worse -- she has resorted to self-injury. She's in therapy, but says they talk yet nothing happens.

Kristina's Therapist Is Not Helping Her Depression

Dr. Dale Archer — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Kristina has been struggling with depression since she was 8. She experienced sexual abuse from her brother and emotional abuse from her parents. She attempted suicide four times before she turned 14. Now she's seeing a therapist, but so far nothing has changed.

Lauren Has Mood Swings And Is Paranoid

Dr. Dale Archer — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Lauren was overweight, felt very depressed, and was crying all the time. Her mom took her to their GP, who didn't do anything. She lost the weight and made friends, but the mood swings continued. She confided in a teacher that she was sexually abused as a child. Her parents were told, they were sad, but then life quickly returned to normal. But, she now continues with the mood swings, and she's also paranoid about meeting new people and freezes in fear when she hears people talk or laugh behind her.

Jasmine Is Losing Interest In Life

Dr. Dale Archer — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Jasmine is a 44 year old woman with three boys -- two teens and a 7 year old. After 16 years of physical and emotional abuse, she finally left her husband when he almost seriously hurt her in front of their oldest son. She's now dating someone who is back in his own country, and she finds she has lost her zeal for life. She doesn't want to do anything, go anywhere or talk to anybody. She's even neglecting the house chores and not preparing meals for the children.

Is Marji's Posting On Facebook While Sleeping The Result Of Seizures?

Dr. Dale Archer — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Marji is experiencing seizures, and her doctor insists she's an epileptic due to a car wreck where she experienced head trauma. Now she's posting comments to her Facebook page -- while she sleeps -- waking the next morning with no idea what she posted.

Wendy's Husband Has Monthly Mood Swings

Dr. Dale Archer — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Wendy has been married to her husband for 11 years, and he continually has mood swings. He'll be fine for a month, then he's hostile and angry for about a week. He's fine with the kids, but she bears the brunt of his anger. He also gets in verbal altercations at work and threatens to quit. She wonders what's going on. Do you know?

Judi Says Psychiatric Diagnoses Cause People To Give Up Their Dreams

Dr. Dale Archer — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Judi was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder 40 years ago. She questions this diagnosis, as now she helps people with mental illness. She has overcome traumas in her life, and thinks she was suffering from PTSD. She is fulfilling dreams by helping others, and urging them to continue their quest to fulfill their dreams. Do you think an erroneous diagnosis can take the wind out of your sails for a coveted career?

Remy's Sister Cannot See A Psychiatrist; It Will Bring Shame To The Family

Dr. Dale Archer — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 06:00:29 GMT

Remy is worried about her sister. She was repeatedly molested as a child, but now that she's married, her husband has no idea of her past. She's very protective of her baby and husband, but she also obsesses over cleanliness, making everyone repeatedly wash their hands and legs. She gets angry very easily and will damage things. She attempted suicide several times. Even though everyone knows she has a problem, she refuses to see a psychiatrist because it would bring shame upon the family.

Can Laura Overcome Her Life Of Trauma?

Dr. Dale Archer — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 06:00:03 GMT

Laura is 53 and has been through many traumas in her life, but has also had some good times. She always had pets to help her through in the past but now is back at her parents' home, taking care of them, and they insisted she get rid of her two beloved dogs and two cats because they want no pets at their house. What do you think -- does she have to give up everything that matters to her in order to live with her parents and take care of them in their senior years? Or should she stand her ground and insist the pets stay with her?

Lea Is Afraid She Said Too Much To Her Counselor

Dr. Dale Archer — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:00:14 GMT

Lea has been seeing a counselor for her marriage and for herself. After profound depression, self harming and three attempts on her life, he told her she needed a specialist, which prompted another attempt on her life. Now she and her husband are back to marriage counseling with the same counselor, but she feels like he no longer likes her. She doesn't want another counselor; she wants to be close to this one again, though she doubts it will ever happen. She asks how to make him like her again. Is this the right questsion?

Melissa's Brother Killed Her Father

Dr. Dale Archer — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:00:23 GMT

When Melissa was 20, her 17 year old brother shot and killed her father, a police officer. Years later when her 34 year old brother took his own life. She has gone through years of psych counseling, multiple hospitalizations and a few hearings before a judge. How does she go on with her life when she still feels such pain?

Ryan Is A Former Soldier Who Is Experiencing PTSD

Dr. Dale Archer — Thu, 03 May 2012 06:00:15 GMT

Ryan is a former soldier who served in Iraq. One night he was searching a house and a man stabbed him under his eye. Another time on patrol his humvee was hit, and a grenade exploded next to his head. Now he's a civilian, deaf in one ear and experiencing PTSD symptoms. He asks how to get rid of the nightmares and occasional paranoia. Do you know what he needs to do?

Sara Self Injures

Dr. Dale Archer — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 06:00:06 GMT

Sara is a 20 year old black female who is into the punk culture and self injures. Her parents are convinced that blacks do not engage in either of these two activities and forbid it .... but she still does it. She also has multiple personalities, yet does not have the funds for medical assistance. She wants to know what's wrong and what can she do about it. Do you have ideas?

Curious Is BPD And Self Injures

Dr. Dale Archer — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:00:17 GMT

Curious has been diagnosed with BPD. She self injures, often requiring stitches, and she has overdosed on her medication and has spent time in psychiatric units. Now she wants to stop using her meds to start a family. What would you advise her?

Anne Has Never Felt Happiness

Dr. Dale Archer — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 22:00:30 GMT

Anne is 60, and has never felt happiness in her life. She hides her feelings from her husband and children, and tries to be 'normal', but it's getting more difficult. Her grandfather abused her for 11 years when she was a child -- could this be the cause of how she feels even now so many years later?

Joan's Daughter-In-Law Drowned Their Pet Rabbits; Are Her Kids At Risk?

Dr. Dale Archer — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 22:00:17 GMT

Joan's daughter-in-law drowned her children's three pet rabbits in a bucket of water- then promptly fell asleep like nothing had happened. Joan wonders if her grandkids are at risk? What say you?

Monique's Husband Drinks With His Bipolar Meds

Dr. Dale Archer — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:00:12 GMT

Monique says she has a good husband. The only thing is he accuses her of having boyfriends, yells at her in front of their two little boys, punches the door or anything else that's close by, and continues to drink to excess, despite being on bipolar meds. He occasionally will take a knife and threaten to kill himself. So I ask you, do YOU consider this a good husband? What do you advise?

Falling's Voice In Her Head Is Getting More Aggressive

Dr. Dale Archer — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 06:00:18 GMT

Falling is 23 years old, and has been hearing voices in her head since she was 10. Now she has a voice she has named Andy, who is becoming stronger and more controlling, wanting her to harm herself in terrible ways. She's becoming aggressive and emotional, and wakes up at night screaming. She is reaching out for help and wants to know what is happening to her. What would you tell her?

Kay Feels Like The Black Sheep Of Her Family

Dr. Dale Archer — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:00:51 GMT

Kay comes from a mentally unstable family. She tries to help her mom and brothers, but everyone holds a grudge and treats her like the black sheep of the family. The house is a mess, and mom says that her biggest regret was giving birth to Kay. How could a mother say that to her daughter? She's working and going to school in hopes of a better life, but needs advice on what to do now.

Because Of Past Molestations, Lynn Self-Harms

Dr. Dale Archer — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:00:53 GMT

Lynn has turned 18. Molested by those she loved for as long as she can remember, she has engaged in self-harm. She overcame this behavior, yet recently those feelings have returned. She feels it's too late to tell someone and that no one will believe her. She desperately wants to stop this way of thinking. How can she handle her stress, guilt and depression?