Personal Life Issues

Lisa Questions Her Traits And Addiction

Dr. Dale Archer — Thu, 23 May 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Lisa grew up in a dysfunctional home where mom and dad hated each other, and they only shared one meal each year, where mom would just about throw the turkey at dad. She has an adventurous spirt, hence her job as an international flight attendant. She wonders if she's an alcoholic, wonders why she's a multitasker, why she prefers younger men and why her life is so disorganized. She wonders if she needs to return to AA, return to basics or just slow her life down. Thoughts?

Naved Has Lost His Confidence

Dr. Dale Archer — Sun, 12 May 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Naved used to fight boys bigger and stronger than him and never lost a fight. Then he fought a boy weaker than him, and lost. He lost all of his confidence, and years later he still cannot find his confidence. Although this helped curb his aggression, he'd like to be confident again, so asks what he can do. Thoughts?

Saritha's Younger Sister Refuses To Obey Her

Dr. Dale Archer — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Saritha is a 39 year old married mother. Her sister is 34 and an unhappy wife who wants a divorce. Saritha does not want her sister to divorce, because she's afraid she will end up with the wrong guy. She is insisting her sister get pregnant to "heal" the marriage.

Jen's Troubled Childhood Is Affecting Her Now

Dr. Dale Archer — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Jen is 34 and mother to two. Being raised as a Jehovah witness, she was ridiculed as a child. Her father was alcoholic and her mother ran off with another man, leaving her behind.

Bob Is Alienating His Friends And Doesn't Know Why

Dr. Dale Archer — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Bob is a 79 year old man in good health. Suddenly, he is being asked to resign from many of his social groups that he has belonged to, some for years! Without giving particulars, he asks what could be wrong, what's he doing to alienate all these people. Many people have what I call a blind spot, where they don't see themselves for who they really are. How can he correct this?

HS's Husband Is Cheating His Drug Tests

Dr. Dale Archer — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 06:00:00 GMT

HS and her husband are going through a bitter divorce. He smokes marijuana and she doesn't. He used to blow pot smoke in her face while she slept to get her high.

Ashley Is Stalked By Her Cousin

Dr. Dale Archer — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Ashley is a 21 year old medical student. Her 23 year old cousin has been stalking her for the past five years, and she cannot make him stop.

Rajendra's Stuttering Is Preventing A Dream Job

Dr. Dale Archer — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Rajendra recently earned a degree in software engineering. He has excellent credentials, and even though he's been interviewed by top software companies, he has been rejected for his stammering problem. He doesn't stammer in his native Hindi tongue -- it's only when he speaks English.

Linell Lost It All In A Ponzi Scheme

Dr. Dale Archer — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Linell was married to a successful physician. He died and left her with enough money for a secure future for their daughter and herself. Their financial adviser of 7 years, however, persuaded her to invest in what she now knows was a ponzi scheme, and she lost it all. Everything.

Angie Is Consumed By Her Life

Dr. Dale Archer — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Angie is retired, and lived a life of neglect and abuse from her mother, but love from her father. They're both deceased now, but to this day she still nurses that anger toward mom. She's in ill health with no insurance, and her antidepressants aren't helping.

Vaish's Mother Is Angry, Angry, Angry!

Dr. Dale Archer — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 06:00:00 GMT

Vaish's father is an abused husband who lives in another country, far away from his wife's wrath. Her husband is away for a month, and wanted her to stay with her mom. It's only been two days, and she's already been subjected to screaming outbursts and has even gotten scratched.

John Has Lost It All And Doesn't Know How To Go On

Dr. Dale Archer — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 06:00:00 GMT

John overcame incredible odds, and was on his own at 12. Ultimately, he owned his own company and had 40 employees. Then the economy crashed and at 61, he finds himself in a precarious situation. He lost his business and is fighting to keep his home.

How Does Kim Learn To Trust Again?

Dr. Dale Archer — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Kim left her husband when her ex repeatedly cheated and lied. Now, a year later, she questions the actions of her present boyfriend. She suspects he may be cheating as well, because when he receives calls, texts or is on Facebook, he turns his phone away from her.

Dina Can't Overcome Her Brother's Death

Dr. Dale Archer — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Dina is 23, and three months ago her little brother died in a car accident. She took care of the arrangements as well as her mother and siblings during that rough time. Now she's depressed and anxious, fighting with her fiancé and doesn't feel like going to work.

Jess's Boyfriend Says Her Vagina Is Weird

Dr. Dale Archer — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Jess is 25 and has been with her boyfriend for about a year. He broke up once, saying he needed time. Now they're together again, but things are not good. He insists she slept around while they were apart, even though she was home, crying. He insults her physical appearance constantly and calls her a whore. He even says her vagina is deformed. She works a full time job plus a part time job, while he is TOTALLY unemployed. She's about to get her degree, while he never completed high school or got a GED.

Sunshine's Jealous Friend Makes Her Feel Guilty

Dr. Dale Archer — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Sunshine is 21 and has a very dear friend who is competitive, envious and jealous. Whenever her friend gets jealous, then Sunshine feels guilty and stops whatever her friend is jealous about. For example she is a great guitarist but cannot play around her friend because she gets mad.

Jan Gives An Important Lesson Regarding Forgiveness

Dr. Dale Archer — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Jan wrote to me a year ago regarding unresolved trust issues due to a childhood incident. During the past year, she has learned a priceless lesson on the value and importance of forgiveness -- not for the perpetrator, but for herself.

Jennifer's Insurance Won't Pay For Her Eating Disorders

Dr. Dale Archer — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Jennifer is 43 and has had an eating disorder since she was 14. She lost 220 pounds, but now suffers from bulimia and anorexia. Restricting herself to 600 calories a day, she binges and purges everything she eats. She takes more than 30 laxatives a day, water pills daily, speed walks daily for six miles and rides her bike for miles, as well. During all of this, all she can think of is food, food, food. Her doctor says she needs inpatient care, but her insurance refuses to pay.

29 And Laid Off, Gaurav Lives With His Parents And Needs A Job

Dr. Dale Archer — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Gaurav finds himself in a position he was not expecting. He's 29, and lost his job six months ago, with no new job in sight. He's depressed, as he must live with his parents.

Des Hates Her Small Breasts

Dr. Dale Archer — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 02:00:00 GMT

Des is 26, 5' 9" and much taller than her mom and sisters. Her small breasts do not fit her frame, and she finds it a challenge to find bras that fit her correctly. It has caused a self-esteem problem, especially since a childhood illness caused her to be big boned and delay puberty until age 17. She asks what can she do to accept herself the way she is?

Daisy Asks Why Did God Allow Her To Survive An Attempted Abortion

Dr. Dale Archer — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Daisy is 22 and a third child. The first two were wanted, while she was a surprise. Her parents attempted to abort her, but she survived. She asks why God would allow this to happen, if children are gifts from God. I attempt to answer a very difficult question.

Jerome's Father Accuses His Mother Of Pursuing Other Men

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

Jerome is 18 and very concerned about his mom and his family. His dad keeps accusing his mother of looking at and talking to other men. He is relentless, even when the children can prove him wrong. He is wearing her down, and now the children are afraid their parents will split up. He wants to know how to fix his parents relationship.

Ann Is Breaking Under The Stress Of Med School

Dr. Dale Archer — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Ann is in her fourth year of medical school. She is stressed out, angry, hates the friends she has and is sure people don't want her to succeed. Nothing concerns her except med school and studying. She hates her sister, who is 22 and also in med school. She states her sister is always putting her down, but that since she has a "disease" everyone takes her side. She's angry at everything, but mostly that all she does is study and work and she wonders if this will be forever.

Kesay Wants To Be In Control Of His Life

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

Kesay is 32 and has plenty of ideas going through his head -- he just can't concentrate enough to make them happen. His English isn't as good as he'd like, and he has trouble getting his ideas across to his co-workers and superiors. He knows if he could learn better English his whole life -- personal and professional -- would be better, but when he gets home from work, he is too tired to study.

Sali Asks Why A Married Guy Constantly Puts Down His Female Coworker

Dr. Dale Archer — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Sali knows a married man who treats a woman he works with in a way that Sali has a problem with. She thinks this makes the other woman feel inferior and embarrassed. But, she states that he only treats her this way when others are around; when the two are alone he ignores her. She doesn't indicate how she knows either the man or the woman. Her question to me is why is he so inconsistent and hot and cold toward this other woman. What the heck is going on in this interesting scenario? Can you guess?