Mental Health

Alistair's Job Is Too Stressful

Dr. Dale Archer — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Alistair is a 21 year old college student with excellent grades. His job, however, is very stressful. For two years he has been filled with anxiety, due to his demanding supervisor whose favorite phrase is "Make it happen."

Tasha Has Suddenly Becomes Shy Again

Dr. Dale Archer — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Tasha is 36 and used to be shy. Teased in school, she didn't have many friends and was often teased. When she turned 20 things began to look up, as she lost some of her shyness. Now she's going to college, and all of her classes require presentations, which she finds very scary.

Ned Cannot Look People In The Eye

Dr. Dale Archer — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Ned's life has become very uncomfortable. He cannot maintain eye contact with others, and instead looks at their bodies, to the side or on the ground -- but mostly at their bodies. It's gone from bad to worse, and he's not sure what's going on.

AB Feels Better When He Cuts

Dr. Dale Archer — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 14:00:00 GMT

AB is 26 and grew up without friends. He would handle difficult times by cutting himself. For the past year and a half he has been seeing a girl, whom he loves and who loves him. However, when he flies into a rage, she gets upset and wants to leave. He responds to this by threatening to kill himself if she leaves, and so she remains. He wants to know how he can stop acting like this -- he knows it's self defeating.

SS Can't Control Her Temper

Dr. Dale Archer — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 06:00:00 GMT

SS is 36 and loses her temper very quickly. She will snap at her husband, children and others over the slightest things. Her temper is getting in the way of her relationships, especially her husband, and she's afraid she'll lose her family. She went to a psychiatrist who prescribed Lexapro. She's not sure the diagnosis is correct and doesn't know if she should take the medication. She asks for help.

Craig Has A Complex Psychiatric Profile

Dr. Dale Archer — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 18:00:38 GMT

Craig has seen many psychiatrists and has received several diagnoses. Now he is seeing a liberal psychoanalyst who thinks psychiatric diagnoses are just labels. What do you think?

Can Financial Problems Cause Muhammad's Stomach Pain?

Dr. Dale Archer — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 18:00:26 GMT

Muhammad is nervous all the time because of financial problems and the global economic slowdown. He also is having severe stomach pain and wonders if his anxiety can cause this. Thoughts?

Dranell Is Terrified Of Elevators

Dr. Dale Archer — Fri, 25 May 2012 06:00:16 GMT

Dranell suffers from claustrophobia, and elevators have always held a real fear for her. Now she has acquired a job in a very tall building. You guessed it, her office is NOT on the first floor. She asks how she can overcome the panic she feels when facing the elevator, and how she can learn to relax. How do your suggestions compare with mine?

Charlotte Has Not Been Out Of Her House For Years

Dr. Dale Archer — Thu, 10 May 2012 06:00:04 GMT

Charlotte is 18 and has not wanted to interact with others since she was 5. She has sleeping problems and sometimes delusions and decided she didn't want to go outside. She has remained in her house for the past four years, and now wants to start enjoying life, but doesn't know how. She wants to know how a housebound person can get help. Do you know?

Brian's Anxiety Is Taking Over His Life

Dr. Dale Archer — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:00:51 GMT

Brian is a former Wall Street Broker and a high stakes poker player. He also served 4 years at a maximum security prison for a white collar crime. While he had anxiety issues before, they were very minor. As he ages, his anxieties are taking over his life, and now it's all he can do to leave his house in the morning. He wants to know what he can do to have less anxiety?

Ananth Wants To Overcome Her Phobias

Dr. Dale Archer — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 06:00:11 GMT

Ananth suffers from numerous phobias, even though she knows they're baseless anxieties. At first it was the fear of traveling, but now her fears are expanding. What would you tell her?

K8 Is Afraid To See A Doctor

Dr. Dale Archer — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 22:00:51 GMT

K8 can feel like she's on top of the world, then she will suffer a panic attack. She would like therapy, but she has difficulty in admitting and talking about her illness. She asks, how can she get help if she's afraid to go get the help? Do you have ideas for her?

Hazel Is Too Scared To Leave Her House

Dr. Dale Archer — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 06:00:51 GMT

Hazel has experienced emotional turmoil since she was a teen. Feelings of wanting to harm herself came and went for years. Now she has become a recluse, not leaving her house unless absolutely necessary. She's nervous and paranoid, having cut out all of her friends from her life. Crying over nothing, she remains alone in her house, yet she wants to be a happy carefree college student. Do you have some advice for her?

Brad Wants Advice About Panic Attacks

Dr. Dale Archer — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Brad has suffered with a traveling phobia for years, but now his boundaries are closing in as he is developing worsening panic attacks that prevent him from traveling or enjoying his kids and grandkids. His marriage is also suffering. He takes natural supplements, but they don't work. He asks for advice. Have you ever had a panic attack? How did you deal with it?

When Should Kai Tell His Girlfriend About His Anxiety?

Dr. Dale Archer — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:00:47 GMT

Kai has suffered from anxiety, agoraphobia, depression and panic attacks for years. It's been debilitating, but he's used to it. He has a new girlfriend, and he wants to tell her, but lately she's been stressed about work. He doesn't want to burden her, but feels she has a right to know. When is the best time to tell her, and when is the worst. What are your thoughts?

If Rachel Can't Be Perfect, She Fears Being Hated

Dr. Dale Archer — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 22:00:34 GMT

Rachel is awkward around people because of her fear of rejection. People think she's shy, but she's not; she simply is afraid of not being perfect in whatever she does. When things get stressful, she counts to 4 over and over, because 4 is her safe number. She confided in her mom, but her mom laughed and said she was being a drama queen. What do you think? Is she a drama queen or is there more to this than meets the eye?

Brynn Throws Up Every Day

Dr. Dale Archer — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 06:00:05 GMT

Brynn has suffered heartburn constantly for the past two years, and was diagnosed with a host of stomach diagnoses and food allergies. Unable to keep food down, she is now experiencing anxieties regarding food, and even has panic attacks when in grocery stores. She's fearful every time she eats, not knowing if there will be a negative reaction. She wants to know how to get over all of this, because her mom will no longer pay for a therapist. Suggestions?

Ayesha Is Drinking To Control Her Panic Attacks

Dr. Dale Archer — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 14:00:40 GMT

Ayesha, 19, has suffered panic attacks since she was 15. They have progressively gotten worse, to the point that her social life is non-existent. Besides the panic itself, she has head and body shakes, as well as blurred vision. She finds it very embarrassing and has turned to drinking to combat the episodes. Is this the right thing to do?

Panic Attacks Prevent Toya From Going To Work

Dr. Dale Archer — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:00:32 GMT

Toya experienced her first panic attack 5 years ago in a tunnel. She received help and thought she was over that, but recently had another panic attack on a bus. Now she's afraid to go outside for fear she will have another one and perhaps die, but she has to get back to work soon. She wonders what to do next?

Why Am I So Depressed And Frustrated?

Dr. Dale Archer — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 06:00:24 GMT

I always tend to think sad thoughts; it's like my mind wants to stay in a depressed mood. I don't know what has happened to me.

I Want To Stop Panic Attacks Once And For All

Dr. Dale Archer — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 22:00:31 GMT

When a panic attack comes on, or when it's time to go home from work or somewhere, the panic sets into my mind and either stops me from continuing my journey home or it stays with me until I reach my house in a total panic with negative thoughts.

Taking My Blood Pressure Causes Panic Attacks

Dr. Dale Archer — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 22:00:25 GMT

I'm tired of being scared and not being able to take care of myself. I'm tired of being scared of my own heart. Please help.

I Get Very Nervous Every Time I Do Something

Dr. Dale Archer — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 03:00:32 GMT

Every time I try to do something I get so nervous. I crack up; it feels like my brain goes everywhere.

I Thought I'd Outgrow My Social Anxiety

Dr. Dale Archer — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 18:00:31 GMT

I have been suffering from social anxiety for about nine years. When I was 20 it got to the point where I could barely go out in public, hang out with friends or even go to my classes. I thought it would go away, but it's gotten worse.

Is It Legal To Be On So Many Medications?

Dr. Dale Archer — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 12:00:00 GMT

I have a friend who was diagnosed as bipolar. She's been on 12 different meds in the past four years. She's presently taking six medications. Is this ethical?