World events, a psychological view – Page 55 – Inside The Mind of a Psychiatrist

Why should I or anyone care what Huma Abedin is doing? Normally, we wouldn’t. But, if Anthony Weiner is elected Mayor of NYC, we might have wished we paid more attention.

In a reported email, Gloria Steinem wrote that Huma might be doing it because of new motherhood, the Stockholm syndrome, or a mystery.

The reason I think her behavior is worthy of our understanding is much more practical. Even though half of all marriages end in divorce, the anguish that someone goes through to separate from a committed relationship is profound. Often, the tentacles that bind two people are like Aron Ralston who self amputated his own right arm to save himself when a boulder crushed his arm and he couldn’t free himself any other way.

Anthony Weiner is a sex addict. His drive to use the Internet to relieve whatever need he has is primitive and defies logic. Addictions are VERY DIFFICULT to master and there’s a good reason that the world is filled with AA, NA, OA etc. Logic and therapy are only marginally helpful.

Huma Abedin can’t leave for her own reasons. Most of us, if we were strong enough, would probably accept that the ‘or worse’ part of the vow is now way too worse and move on. That doesn’t mean we would. In any marriage, it’s often less painful to stay trapped by the huge boulder, than cut off your own arm

If you enjoy being Inside the Mind of a Psychiatrist, you might also enjoy, 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.

Last week at a dinner party, a friend asked what jobs we had when we were in high school and college. One woman, a psychotherapist, related that she was a sales girl in a department store.

“I loved that job,” she said, a smile lighting up her pretty features. “I’ve always had an interest in fashion; so when I was assigned to the clothing department it was a treat.” She laughed. “But in my experience, waiting on women was a lot different from waiting on men.”

“How?” One of the men at the table asked.

Interestingly, all the women at the table smiled, like they all ready knew what to expect.

“Well, let’s say a woman came in looking for a sweater. She had dozens of questions regarding color, weight, texture, type of wool, design features… Finally, after a major discussion on changing styles, that might challenge Yves St. Laurent, she’d sigh and say, ‘I’ll think about it’.

“Men on the other hand were a riot. One nice looking guy, maybe forty, came in and said, ‘I’d like a sweater’.

“What kind?”

“A sweater.”

“Wool? Cotton? Ribbed? Cashmere? Light? Heavy? Color? What’s it for? A special event?”

“I don’t know. What do you think?”

“Let me show you some sweaters,” I said, and led him to a table filled with dozens of winter sweaters. He looked at the first pile, picked up a sweater, unfolded it, held it up to his chest and nodded. “This will be great. Thanks. I appreciate your help.”

“As I was writing up the sale, he said, ‘What do ya think about the Eagles chances against the Forty-Niners?’

“Huh”, I said.

“You know, the Eagles?”

“The baseball team?”

“He stared at me for a few moments and then with a smile said, ‘The sweater is really nice, thanks’.”

“Thank you!” I said, and waved goodbye.

If you enjoy being Inside the Mind of a Psychiatrist, you might also enjoy, The Man with a Microphone in his Ear, Chasing Backwards, a psychological murder mystery, and Skin Dance, a mystery. All are available as paperbacks and eBooks.