COMMUNICATION

Dealing with Controlling People

“If I Win, You Lose” is Not Our Only Option!

Control, like most facets of human behavior, is probably best experienced in moderation. At one end of the spectrum, control is a positive, adaptive tool. For example, control over prolonged and constant chaos in our lives is usually a good thing. At the other end, control can be seen as negative. People who are over-controlled to the point of being unable to feel or express emotion can find life’s expected turmoils to be difficult or even impossible to handle.

When Depression Is More Than Sadness! – 7 Other Tell-Tale Signs

We don’t always have the full range of words to explain what we are going through.

For example, we might say that we feel sad. Yet, in fact, we might have clinical depression and not even realize it. Alternatively, we might recognize depression in someone else who insists that they are “just sad.”

Honestly, it can be hard sometimes to tell the difference.

Sadness is a regular, temporary, human emotion. Depression, in contrast, is a mental health condition. Usually, it requires some kind of dedicated treatment before the condition will improve.

Here are seven key differences between sadness and depression.

1. The Cause for Sadness or Low Mood

One key difference between sadness and depression is whether or not something provokes the emotion. We feel sadness in response to something. For example, a breakup causes people to feel sad.

In contrast, depression doesn’t have a specific cause. We can sometimes point to reasons, finding a cause. However, when the mood doesn’t lift, we see that’s not the real reason. Something underlying it all is at the root. If we can’t find a concrete cause for feeling blue, then we need to consider that it might be depression.

How Looking At Your Past Can Create Business Success Today

 

Everyone has a past. Our histories inform who we are, often impacting the decisions we make in the present.

However, what happens when your past becomes a barrier to creating today’s business success?

This is an important question to consider as you build your business. Believe it or not, the obstacles that you face in reaching your goals are not always the ones in front of you. Instead, the choices you make today can be also be influenced by the long shadow that you carry behind you.

And these choices can make or break your business.

That’s why it’s important to look at your past when trying to create business success today.

When She’s Smarter Than Him: How Intellectual Incompatibility Affects Relationships

 

When you think about compatibility, what comes to mind?

Obviously having similar interests is important, such as what you like to do for fun. Another aspect often is having similar life goals and whether or not you are both on the same journey together.

However, did you ever consider how intellectual incompatibility could affect your relationship?

It’s not simply a stand-alone issue. In fact, intellectual incompatibility can influence other areas of relationship compatibility.

If you are finding yourself struggling with your relationship, it may be that you need to consider whether you and your partner are intellectually compatible.

When Your Mother-in-Law moves In: Tips for a Peaceful Coexistence

 

Ready or not—your mother-in-law has moved in.

Of course, you already had a busy household with kids, activities, and work. Now a whole new dynamic is being added to the mix as you take on the role of caregiver for your relative.

This can either be a time of joy or dread, depending on your outlook.

However, it doesn’t have to be a negative experience. You can make this an opportunity to not only aid an aging parent, but also strengthen your family as well.

Consider some ideas for maintaining a peaceful coexistence when your mother-in-law moves in.

How to Talk to Your Child about School Violence

School violence has become a central concern for both students and parents.

In this day and age, parents find it necessary to have painful but important conversations with their children about this topic. For instance, talking about what to do if a violent incident occurs in their school and asking what their feelings and concerns are. Some parents wonder if they should buy their child a bullet-proof backpack.

As a parent, of course, you want to protect your child from even worrying about these things. But you also know that you need to talk to them about the issues, no matter how hard that may be for you.

So, what to do? How can you approach the subject? Consider some of these helpful tips for talking to your child about school violence.

When Your Teen Tells You They’re Gay: Tips on Responding

For many LGBTQ youths, the act of “coming out” to their parents that they are gay is nerve-racking.

They may have already told some friends, but coming out to you, their parents, is a whole other matter. Worries about being accepted or loved by you afterwards will probably be on their minds.

They may be nervous, anxious, even scared to tell you something that they have kept hidden—perhaps for years.

You may very well have a wide range of emotions during these discussions.

For obvious reasons, this won’t be an easy conversation for either of you. How you respond to your teen’s revelation is critical.

Here are several tips to help you respond sensibly.

(6) Ways to Increase Intimacy and Escape the ‘Roommate’ Syndrome

Have you felt like you and your partner are more like roommates than intimate companions? Watching Netflix in your sweatpants while your partner plays a game on their cell phone sounds like a hot date, right?

Not exactly.

There is not a lot about that scenario radiating romance. What it does portray is a mutual level of extreme comfort you and your partner have embraced.

Of course, nothing is wrong with feeling comfortable around your partner. Actually, you want to be comfortable with each other. But you also want to nurture the intimate connection you have and acting like roommates simply doesn’t do that.

If you feel stuck in the ‘roommate rut’, try these suggestions:

Should We Move In Together – (12) Questions

 

Many couples take the big step of moving in together without first considering the full ramification of the decision.

When you started dating, you most likely each had your own space to live. Now, though, you will be sharing a space together.

How you both communicate, resolve conflict, and deal with emotional and day-to-day stress are important considerations. That’s why it’s crucial to have several discussion about this big decision.

Consider these (12) questions:

Aftermath of Infidelity: How to Help Your Children Cope with Your Affair

When a relationship is rocked by an affair, the betrayed partner is often the focus of attention. This is normal, since the hurt partner is traumatized.

In the immediate aftermath of the affair, addressing this partner’s anger, pain, shock and confusion is of paramount importance.

But if you have children they also feel the effects and need as much help coping with the painful situation as much as – or even more  – than your partner needs.

So after your children learn about your affair, what can you do?

Note: The worst possible scenario you could face would be that your child becomes suicidal. At the end of this article are the Warning Signs of Childhood Depression including what actions you would need to take.