Author: artsmuklermd

Art Smukler, MD was born and raised in Philadelphia, went to college and medical school in Pennsylvania, and completed his psychiatric training at UCLA. He is a board-certified psychiatrist, specializing in the treatment of adults with a subspecialty in adolescents. As a member of the UCLA faculty, he ran an award-winning psychotherapy conference for psychiatric residents and received the coveted “Golden Ear” award. He has published in psychiatric journals, and won the award for excellence in creative writing at The Santa Barbara Writers Conference. Now a full-time author, he applies his deep understanding of the human psyche to the motivations of his fictional characters.

PAY YOUR TAXES SO WE CAN GIVE ANOTHER 18 BILLION DOLLARS TO PAKISTAN! by Art Smukler, author & psychiatrist

by artsmuklermd, posted in Psychiatry, Self Examination, World events, a psychological view

Did you know that according to Fox Business, the US has given Pakistan over 18 billion dollars in aid since 9/11?

Are you aware that Pakistan not only protected Bin Laden for years, but is currently executing people for blasphemy. Eighteen people are on death row. The “logic” behind all this is that every religious group in Pakistan supports the laws because Allah should never be disrespected. Obviously, the government is supporting the religious groups. Examples of blasphemy can include architectural design, throwing away a calling card, spelling errors and yes, disagreeing with someone in power regarding religion.

Okay, so things in Pakistan are a lot different from here in the US, but WHY ARE WE GIVING A GOVERNMENT MONEY WHO IS AGAINST EVEN THE BASIC TENETS OF DEMOCRACY AND OPENLY DEFIES OUR COUNTRY?

What does this have to do with psychiatry?

A basic rule in psychotherapy is that a patient must learn that thoughts are not equal to actions. Because you have violent thoughts about your parents, siblings, friends or even Allah doesn’t mean you are going to DO anything violent.

We have the right to our own thoughts. We don’t have the right, within reasonable law, to act on our violent thoughts. That’s why the prisons in California are overflowing. People broke the law by their actions — NOT THEIR THOUGHTS!

The actions of our elected officials is beyond logic. 18 billion dollars to support religious oppression and an anti-democratic way of life?

Yes, I know, it might be worse if we didn’t give them the money. How do we fight terrorism effectively? It’s a complicated issue…

Maybe it’s not as complicated as we are led to believe. Give money to a country who allowed Bin Laden to live in hiding? Give money to a government that doesn’t respect women’s rights, religious rights, or children’s rights?

If we used all that money to start rebuilding our own infrastructure, put everyone to work, and created as much of a petrol free environment as possible, we’d be a lot better off than pandering to countries who do not respect our values. Countries can have any values they want, but if they continue to keep their people oppressed, they can get their money from other oppressors, like the Saudis or Iranians. And good luck with that!

Art Smukler is the award-winning writer of Chasing Backwards, a psychological murder mystery, Skin Dance, a mystery, and The Man with a Microphone in his Ear. All are available as paperbacks and eBooks.

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WHAT’S ONE KEY THING YOU CAN DO IF YOU’RE DEPRESSED? By Art Smukler, author & psychiatrist

by artsmuklermd, posted in Childhood Trauma, Psychiatry, Self Examination

Feel melancholy, out of sorts, tired, cranky, a lack of energy, no enthusiasm, a sense of doom, a negative attitude, wake up early in the morning and can’t fall back to sleep, don’t feel like reading, writing, playing golf or any of the hobbies that you usually love?

Any of the above can be a sign of depression.

Should you immediately call your family practice doc for an Rx of Prozac or for a psychiatric referral?

I wouldn’t. Not yet…

I’d take some time to think about what’s going on in your life. Carefully go over the last few days before the symptoms started or got worse. What did you do? Who did you talk to? Did a friend or family member say something that hurt your feelings? Were you rejected? Left out? Disrespected?

The key underlying feeling that often triggers depression is ANGER.

Not expressing anger is usually the problem.

In therapy, a common dynamic in chronic depression is years of repressed anger. Parents who don ‘t have the time or inclination to help their children express themselves foster the development of kids who are continually sad. These sad kids grow up to be sad adults who wind up on therapists’ couches.

Together the therapist and patient work to discover what happened to cause the problem. Eventually they learn all about the repressed, hidden anger that has been a constant unwanted companion.

Self-analysis can be extremely helpful. If you discover who made you angry and deal with it appropriately there’s a good chance your mood will lighten and your energy will return.

Talking to the person who hurt you can often make you feel better. Sadly, you sometimes learn that the person you thought was your friend is insensitive and incapable of accepting responsibility for their hurtful actions. If they can’t change, you might need to find a new friend.

Resolving issues with a parent is more complicated. You can’t get a new one, but you can accept your mother or father’s limitations. You’re not obligated to take their words or actions to heart. Just because they think they’re right, doesn’t mean they are right. There’s a good chance your perspective is more accurate and helpful to the way you want to live your life than their perspective.

Whatever happens, dealing with your anger, can be very, very helpful.

Agree? Disagree? What do you think?

Art Smukler is the award-winning writer of Chasing Backwards, a psychological murder mystery, Skin Dance, a mystery, and The Man with a Microphone in his Ear. All are available as paperbacks and eBooks.