Category Archives: Self Examination

Looking beneath the surface to understand why we do what we do

MEDICATION? AN ANSWER OR A CURSE? by Art Smukler MD, author & psychiatrist

Posted on May 31, 2020 by

Just recently, a patient who I hadn’t seen for decades, responded to one of my posts with a scathing rebuke of me, psychiatry, and the overuse of medication. He felt he was mistreated with drugs, psychiatry in general, and me … Continue reading →

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Posted in Psychiatry, Self Examination | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

EVIL IN THE WHITE HOUSE, by Art Smukler MD, author & psychiatrist

Posted on May 27, 2020 by

For quite a while, I’ve done the impossible – kept my mouth shut and my computer off with things pertaining to Donald Trump. But no more. I can’t tolerate his lies and the way that so many Republicans support and … Continue reading →

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Posted in Bullying, Politics, Psychiatry, Self Examination, World events, a psychological view | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

WOULD YOU RATHER? by Art Smukler, author & psychiatrist

Posted on December 14, 2019 by

Do you remember the kid’s game, Would You Rather? Would you rather have pins in your eyes or your ears? Would you rather eat only hotdogs or only ice cream for a week? And on and on… What came to … Continue reading →

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Posted in Psychiatry, Self Examination | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

RETIRED? TAKE THE MOST UNIQUE, ONE-OF-A-KIND JOURNEY OF YOUR LIFE, by Art Smukler MD, author and psychiatrist

Posted on October 20, 2019 by

WHERE? A place no one but you will ever visit. WHEN? Now… Tomorrow… Whenever you choose. HOW MUCH WILL IT COST? No money. Only time and courage. Yep, you probably are on the verge of guessing it — a trip … Continue reading →

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Posted in Psychiatry, Self Examination | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

LESSONS FROM THE CHAIN GANG, REFLECTIONS ON THE PAST, by Art Smukler

Posted on October 9, 2019 by

I belong to Plato, a group in Los Angeles devoted to learning. As the editor of the monthly newsletter, I was called upon to write my bi-monthly editor’s note. Given that today is Yom Kippur, a day of reflection, I … Continue reading →

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Posted in Psychiatry, Raising Children, Self Examination, Uncle Bill's Place, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

POTUS IS NAKED or THE ADVANTAGES OF A MIND EXPOSED by Art Smukler MD, author and psychiatrist

Posted on September 21, 2019 by

We’re all sick and tired of hearing the story of THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES. Well, please, be a good sport for just one more time. It has a new satisfying twist. Ha. If you can’t have a good time writing … Continue reading →

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Posted in Childhood Trauma, Politics, Psychiatry, Self Examination, World events, a psychological view | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

A PEP TALK FOR WRITERS, by Art Smukler, author and psychiatrist

Posted on May 2, 2019 by

Last night, Hillary Clinton said something on the Rachel Maddow Show that really struck a bell, more like a gong. She said, “I’m living rent free inside of Donald Trump’s brain, and it’s not a very nice place to be.” … Continue reading →

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Posted in Politics, Psychiatry, Self Examination, World events, a psychological view, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

WHEN TRUMP DIES, WHERE WILL HIS SOUL GO? by Art Smukler MD, author & psychiatrist

Posted on April 7, 2019 by

I don’t believe in god or a higher power or that one religion is superior to another religion; so for me, the term soul is used in a philosophical manner. What does the afterlife hold in store for a man … Continue reading →

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Posted in Bullying, Childhood Trauma, Politics, Raising Children, Self Examination, World events, a psychological view | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

WHAT’S THE SECRET REASON PEOPLE EITHER HATE OR LOVE TRUMP? Art Smukler MD, author & psychiatrist

Posted on February 17, 2019 by

Like the main part of an iceberg, hidden from view under the dark icy water, our unconscious mind, hidden from consciousness by defenses like denial and repression, is the real bulwark behind our feelings and actions. Freud theorized that access … Continue reading →

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Posted in Bullying, Politics, Psychiatry, Raising Children, Self Examination, World events, a psychological view | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

THE BRILLIANT LESSON DONALD TRUMP TAUGHT US, by Art Smukler MD, author & psychiatrist

Posted on December 6, 2018 by

Who wouldn’t want 10 billion dollars? I would. Then when the market tanked I’d still have a few billion left for coffee at Starbucks and gasoline, even if we dumped the immoral Saudis. So what did the great man teach … Continue reading →

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Posted in Bullying, Politics, Self Examination, World events, a psychological view | Tagged , , | 1 Comment