Dear Dick
articles about wide ranging psychological issues
from "The Local Bulletin" (Brisbane Australia)
by Dick Rigby
©all articles are copyright 2006
INTRODUCTION
"The Local Bulletin" is a monthly newspaper that is distributed throught the western suburbs of Brisbane, Australia.
In Febuary 1998 I met Barry Searl, the editor of "The Local Bulletin". He asked me to write a “Dear Dick” column answering readers queries. I was delighted and took on the task with enthusiasm.
After some time, I changed the format from answering letters to writing articles on some psychological topic that I thought readers would be interested in. From 1998 the "Dear Dick" column has been a regular feature.
In 2006 I decided to compile all the articles into one resource and publish it on the web for the benefit of all. This is the result. All articles are copyright, but may be reproduced without permission providing acknowledgement of the author is given.
ADDICTIONS
Alcohol
Alcoholic husband
Alcohol the destroyer
I'm not an alcoholic (part 1)
I'm not an alcoholic (part 2)
Marijuana and young people
Up in smoke
Being perfect
Being perfect
Even more perfect
Denial & avoidance
Denial, the biggest lie of all
Meant to be's
Drama addict
Drama Addiction
Food addiction
The secret to weight loss is honesty
Season’s excesses
Eating disorder
Food binging
Too fat
Gambling
Stock market punters
Workaholic
Workaholic
Sorry, too busy
EMOTIONS
Anger
Triggers
Road rage
Anger sickness
Resentment
Jealousy
Weapons of mass destruction
Stress & trauma
Manage your stress
Critical Incident debriefing
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
After tourture
Anxiety & fear
Anxiety lowers your IQ
Panic Attacks
Anxiety and how to beat it
Don’t’ be afraid
Running from fear
Phobias
Spider phobia
The fear of singing
Fear of snakes
Discipline
The discipline of balance
EMBRACING LIFE
Embracing life
Be here now
Psychological health
New Year Resolutions
Letting go of rocks
Freedom
Controlling your body
In control of your body
Self awareness
Awareness & honesty
Inner connections
How to talk to yourself
My original stuff
Deep connection
Who’s in charge here?
Singing for Fun
Self sabotage
Success or failure
Organized disorganization
Funerals
How to behave at a funeral
SOCIAL ISSUES
Responsible citizen
An inconvenient truth
Frog in a pot
Religious issues
Religious sects
DEPRESSION ETC
Burnout
Burnout
More about burnout
Optimism-pessimism
I have a dream
Pessimism the silent killer
Positive honesty
Learn to remain positive
Depression
Depression
Emotionally distraught mother
Suicide attempt
Antidepressants; blessing or curse
More about depression
Gratitude
THERAPIES
Psychologists
Common sense psychology
Psychologists have the answers
A psychotherapist with problems
How I disappeared
Genectics
Different people
What can’t we change
Alternative therapies
Relaxation techniques
Complimentary therapies
Therapies
The cost of treatment
You’d have to be crazy
Medicare for psychology
Emotional Freedom Technique
Emotional freedom
Shifting the tough stuff
More about tough stuff
RELATIONSHIPS & COMMUNICATION
Assertion
Ask for what you want
The cost of being assertive
Standing up for yourself
Nagging
Nagging becomes assertion
Empathy
Empathy
It’s more than understanding
Empathy the healer
Bombing & sabotage
Bombing
Hysterical person
Hysterical person
Selective hearing
I hear what I want to hear
Relationships
Relationship enrichment
Loneliness
Husband who doesn’t communicate
How to negotiate
Serial monogamy
Early intervention
Expectations
Unreal expectations
Sex
Don’t talk to me about sex
FAMILIES
Family of origin
Christmas Relatives
Break some family rules
Children
Freedom for teenagers
The adult child
Young athletes
Pushing children
Change of school
Blended families
Student study
Children & TV
Impact of TV (1)
Impact of TV (2)
Difficult children
Bad boy Johnny
MENTAL ILLNESS
Mental illness
A beautiful mind
Mental illness – the challenge
Autism
Autism the puzzle
Psychosomatic illness
It's all in the mind you know
Dear Dick
articles about wide ranging psychological issues
from "The Local Bulletin" (Brisbane Australia)
by Dick Rigby
©all articles are copyright 2006
INTRODUCTION
"The Local Bulletin" is a monthly newspaper that is distributed throught the western suburbs of Brisbane, Australia.
In Febuary 1998 I met Barry Searl, the editor of "The Local Bulletin". He asked me to write a “Dear Dick” column answering readers queries. I was delighted and took on the task with enthusiasm.
After some time, I changed the format from answering letters to writing articles on some psychological topic that I thought readers would be interested in. From 1998 the "Dear Dick" column has been a regular feature.
In 2006 I decided to compile all the articles into one resource and publish it on the web for the benefit of all. This is the result. All articles are copyright, but may be reproduced without permission providing acknowledgement of the author is given.
ADDICTIONS
Alcohol
Alcoholic husband
Alcohol the destroyer
I'm not an alcoholic (part 1)
I'm not an alcoholic (part 2)
Marijuana and young people
Up in smoke
Being perfect
Being perfect
Even more perfect
Denial & avoidance
Denial, the biggest lie of all
Meant to be's
Drama addict
Drama Addiction
Food addiction
The secret to weight loss is honesty
Season’s excesses
Eating disorder
Food binging
Too fat
Gambling
Stock market punters
Workaholic
Workaholic
Sorry, too busy
EMOTIONS
Anger
Triggers
Road rage
Anger sickness
Resentment
Jealousy
Weapons of mass destruction
Stress & trauma
Manage your stress
Critical Incident debriefing
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
After tourture
Anxiety & fear
Anxiety lowers your IQ
Panic Attacks
Anxiety and how to beat it
Don’t’ be afraid
Running from fear
Phobias
Spider phobia
The fear of singing
Fear of snakes
Discipline
The discipline of balance
EMBRACING LIFE
Embracing life
Be here now
Psychological health
New Year Resolutions
Letting go of rocks
Freedom
Controlling your body
In control of your body
Self awareness
Awareness & honesty
Inner connections
How to talk to yourself
My original stuff
Deep connection
Who’s in charge here?
Singing for Fun
Self sabotage
Success or failure
Organized disorganization
Funerals
How to behave at a funeral
SOCIAL ISSUES
Responsible citizen
An inconvenient truth
Frog in a pot
Religious issues
Religious sects
DEPRESSION ETC
Burnout
Burnout
More about burnout
Optimism-pessimism
I have a dream
Pessimism the silent killer
Positive honesty
Learn to remain positive
Depression
Depression
Emotionally distraught mother
Suicide attempt
Antidepressants; blessing or curse
More about depression
Gratitude
THERAPIES
Psychologists
Common sense psychology
Psychologists have the answers
A psychotherapist with problems
How I disappeared
Genectics
Different people
What can’t we change
Alternative therapies
Relaxation techniques
Complimentary therapies
Therapies
The cost of treatment
You’d have to be crazy
Medicare for psychology
Emotional Freedom Technique
Emotional freedom
Shifting the tough stuff
More about tough stuff
RELATIONSHIPS & COMMUNICATION
Assertion
Ask for what you want
The cost of being assertive
Standing up for yourself
Nagging
Nagging becomes assertion
Empathy
Empathy
It’s more than understanding
Empathy the healer
Bombing & sabotage
Bombing
Hysterical person
Hysterical person
Selective hearing
I hear what I want to hear
Relationships
Relationship enrichment
Loneliness
Husband who doesn’t communicate
How to negotiate
Serial monogamy
Early intervention
Expectations
Unreal expectations
Sex
Don’t talk to me about sex
FAMILIES
Family of origin
Christmas Relatives
Break some family rules
Children
Freedom for teenagers
The adult child
Young athletes
Pushing children
Change of school
Blended families
Student study
Children & TV
Impact of TV (1)
Impact of TV (2)
Difficult children
Bad boy Johnny
MENTAL ILLNESS
Mental illness
A beautiful mind
Mental illness – the challenge
Autism
Autism the puzzle
Psychosomatic illness
It's all in the mind you know