Answers to your questions about conquering depression, theefficacy
of pheromones and the potential dangers of Pokemon.
Dear Dr. E,
Will a child be negatively affected if both of his or her parents
work full time?
Nicole
Milford, Pennsylvania
Dear Nicole,
Research suggests that it's the quality of care that matters most,
not the caregiver. A parent who neglects a child can do far more harm
than a day-care teacher who provides a warm, loving environment.
Dear Dr. E,
I suffer from clinical depression. I've tried numerous medications
but found no relief What do you suggest?
A.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Dear A.,
One of the many problems with antidepressants is that we have no
way to match people up with them; a medication that helps one person
might have no effect on another and might actually harm a third. It's
possible that one of the many new antidepressants now being developed
will be the magic bullet you seek. But you should also give therapy a
serious try. Unlike medication, therapy teaches important coping
skills--without side effects.
Dear Dr. E,
Is it possible that the recent Pokemon fad may be teaching children
to be violent?
Jennifer G.
via e-mail
Dear Jennifer,
I know of no convincing evidence that Pokemon or similar fads have
any significant influence on child development. Normal children have no
trouble distinguishing reality from fantasy, and rough child play is
normal in mammalian species. The Baby Boomers are a fairly peaceful lot,
and they were raised on simulated battlefields, complete with weapons
that could blow the stuffing out of Pokemon.
Dear Dr. E,
How do I know if I'm gay?
Andy
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Dear Andy,
Contrary to popular belief, homosexuality is not an all-or-nothing
quality. A man might be attracted to women or men exclusively, or to
women most of the time and to men only rarely, or to women only rarely
and to men most of the time. In our culture, sexual orientation is a
highly personal matter. You're gay when you decide to call yourself
gay.
Dear Dr. E,
For the past eight years I've been afraid to drive. Going through
intersections makes me so nervous I feel like I'm going to have an
anxiety attack. Where did this fear come from and how can I overcome
it?
Nicole
Baltimore, Maryland
Dear Nicole,
Some fears come from traumatic events we experienced as children. A
serious dog bite, for example, can make you afraid of dogs for life. Your
fear of driving may have started with this kind of incident, even if you
can't remember it. Fortunately, therapists have developed powerful
methods for alleviating irrational fears--perhaps the most powerful
methods we have in mental health. "Systematic desensitization" is one
such technique that's especially quick and powerful. To find a qualified
therapist, call the American Psychological Association at (800)
964-2000.
Dear Dr. E,
I like a girl very much and I feel there's a way I can win her.
I've tried poetry and being nice, and lately I've been doing Internet
research on pheromones. Can you win over someone who may not want
you?
Dave
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Dear Dave,
Pheromones are hormonal substances emitted by some species to
attract mates, among other things. Rat moms, for example, emit a
pheromone that attracts their newborn pups. Humans also produce
pheromones, but no one has ever shown that they play a significant role
in human mating. So if someone is trying to sell you a magic love
potion--over the Internet, perhaps?--save your money. As for the object
of your affections, keep writing those poems. You might just get a good
poetry book out of the experience.
PHOTO (COLOR): Robert Epstein, Ph.D.
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