Question 1:  Why do some people experience life primarily through their emotional mind rather than their logical mind? What might explain the shift I’ve experienced—from being more emotionally driven in the past to now functioning more from a logical, grounded place? Question 2:  I’m calling for chizuk. In both yeshiva and at home, we’ve seen meaningful positive changes in my son, who needs emotional support. A relative who hadn’t seen my special-needs son in a long time commented that he seemed to have “more life” in the past and less now. That comment really knocked me down—how should I understand and cope with this? Question 3: Can people who are experiencing depression recognize that they are depressed, or does the condition itself sometimes prevent awareness?

Feedback 1: I called a few weeks ago about a friend who was constantly complaining and presenting as a victim, possibly within a BPD dynamic. After I set a clear boundary, she turned to a mentor who is now helping her more appropriately, which felt like a healthy shift. Question 2: I have a child with ADHD who is currently doing well. Does a child who is functioning well still need therapy, or is therapy only necessary when there are clear struggles? Question 3: I have a coworker whose behavior really disturbs me, and I find myself carrying it home with me. How can I learn to mentally “shut down” work stress when I get home? Feedback 4: Regarding the previous caller about a difficult coworker, they shared that in sales they learned people are more likely to change when they understand why a change benefits them and what they gain from it. Perhaps this approach could be helpful in her situation as well. Feedback 5: This ties into the idea of winning friends—approaching others in a way that helps them feel understood rather than criticized. Question 6: My daughter is currently in a PHP and will be transitioning to an IOP. I use a lot of chizuk with her, but how do I differentiate between offering healthy encouragement and slipping into a victim mindset myself?Question 7: My husband has health anxiety and wonders if “normal” people experience this as well. What is my role as a wife in supporting him without reinforcing the anxiety? 

Comment 1: Someone called in last week and shared that they couldn’t stop thinking about their therapist. I experienced something similar in the past but felt too ashamed to tell anyone. Hearing her share helped the shame completely fall away for me. Question 2: I was bullied for ten years in school and I am on the autism spectrum. I am currently looking for friends who have also been through struggles. I often connect with people, but then they suddenly pull away. I feel like some may have BPD, and I find it very hard to maintain relationships that feel so unpredictable. How should I understand and cope with this? Question 3: Why would someone have such a hard time getting up in the morning, even when there is nothing specific wrong? Question 4: What are the five love languages, and how do they help improve relationships? Comment 5A: I want to comment on the previous caller with ASD. She was incredibly brave, clear, and articulate. I have a son with ASD as well, and people often don’t understand him. Comment 5B: I also want to say that IOP is extremely worthwhile. You are not judged for being there. Many people in IOP are actually healing from the people or situations that caused the pain. Question 5C: How do you deal with a teenager who can become aggressive? How do I cope as a parent, and how can I best help her?

Question 1: There seems to be an attitude that if a rebbi or teacher does something wrong, it’s a big deal — but if the students act out, they’re simply given another chance. How does that make sense? Question 2: Can someone have ADHD even if they don’t struggle with time management or organization? Question 2B: I struggle with word retrieval — I often know what I want to say but can’t find the right words. What causes this, and what can help improve it? Question 3: Can trauma cause OCD? Is it possible to heal OCD through trauma work? I’ve been doing trauma therapy for my OCD, but it doesn’t seem to be helping the OCD itself. Question 3B: Is TMS a good treatment for OCD? Question 4: I had some alcohol at a wedding and realized I really liked it. I know I have an addictive personality and I’m worried this could become a coping habit, especially since alcohol is served at so many weddings. How can I prevent this from becoming a problem? 

Question 1: My friend is seeing a therapist, and I’m wondering if it’s appropriate that the therapist called people from her résumé to check if a suggested shidduch was right for her. Would that be considered overstepping professional boundaries? Question 2: What’s the difference between Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and narcissism? And how can you deal with someone who is very complicated, blames you for everything, and refuses to take responsibility for their own issues? Question 3: If someone takes medication for anxiety but doesn’t tell their therapist, is that a problem? Can therapy still be effective in that case? 

Question 1:  What guidance can you share about managing medication responsibly, and what should individuals and families keep in mind throughout the process? Poem 2: I wrote a poem as an expression of deep appreciation for you and for this program.  Question 3: When someone is manic, how much of what they say reflects their true feelings? I often feel hurt when they express painful or harsh things, and I’m not sure how to understand it. Question 4:  As an older single, I’m dating someone who has a few traits that trouble me. How do I know what is normal to overlook and what might be important not to ignore? Question 5 I’m curious about gaming and screen addiction. My children, ages 10 to 16, use electronics for about an hour a day after school. Is that considered healthy, or does it fall into the category of addiction?