The Friendship Doctor

Send in your friendship questions and quandaries and get expert answers and solutions.

Irene S. Levine, Ph.D. is a psychologist and professor of psychiatry at the NYU School of Medicine. Her latest book is Best Friends Forever: Surviving a Breakup With Your Best Friend. See full bio

November 20, 2009

An interview with Erin Munroe: Almost everything you should know about 'stepparenting' and 'friendship'

The role of being a stepparent has some inherent challenges. Read More

November 18, 2009

Unfriend: Not a simple verb by any means

The New Oxford American Dictionary chose the verb "unfriend" as its 2009 Word of the Year (WOTY) and defined it this way: "to remove someone as a ‘friend' on a social networking site such as Facebook." The word "has both currency and potential longevity," explained Christine Lindberg, Oxford's senior lexicographer on the OUP Blog. Read More

November 17, 2009

A final friendship disappointment?

QUESTION

Dear Irene,

My friend has been going through marriage problems ever since I've known her (13 years now). I have been there for her when she needed someone to talk to. When the problems got too big to deal with, I suggested counseling since I didn't want their marriage problems to affect the friendship that I have with her husband too and that my husband has with them. Read More

November 13, 2009

Can A Friendship Fall Apart Over A Small Slight?

QUESTION

Hello Irene,

I recently lost a best friend whom I'll call "Y." Another friend, "K," approached me to organize a Halloween party at my house a few weeks ago. I agreed with one condition: She had to help me with food, drinks, etc. I invited my other friends, including my best friend "Y." Read More

November 10, 2009

A friend's unexpected move

QUESTION:

Dear Dr. Levine,

I've had a roller coaster relationship with my BF for the last eight years. We both hit it off when our oldest kids (we have 7 in total) met in 1st grade. What began as a "play date" with children grew into a friendship that involved couples weekends, family trips, dinners out, BBQ's, etc. Basically we were inseparable. Read More

November 9, 2009

A frenemy next door is too close for comfort

QUESTION:

Dear Irene:

I have been friends with the most needy, self absorbed, delusional person for nearly eight years. This woman can be absolutely toxic to the point that I have panic attacks when I feel trapped into interacting with her lately. Ours has never been a 50/50 sort of relationship. Read More

November 6, 2009

Fort Hood: A rush to judgment

First they said he was dead; then they announced he was alive and in stable condition. Then there were reports that there were at least two accomplices---before we heard that there were none. Some reporters said he was a psychologist until they realized he was a psychiatrist. Read More

November 5, 2009

Resisting the urge to gossip

It's easy to get caught up in gossip. A friend or colleague starts talking about someone you both know. She lays out some juicy information you haven't heard before, almost baiting you to chime in. Whether it's true or not, you reflexively up the ante by spilling a rumor you recently heard about that person, too. Read More

November 3, 2009

The inside scoop on your introvert friends

I've never met my fellow PT blogger Sophia Dembling in person but consider her a friend of sorts. We met as members of one or another online writer communities that we both frequent because we have so many overlapping interests. She lives in Texas but her roots are pure New York. I love her sense of humor and her refreshing candor. Read More

October 28, 2009

More than a friend?

It's not unusual for platonic relationships to turn into something different or something more. Whenever this happens, regardless of gender, it can lead to misunderstandings if both people aren't on the same page. When two female friends are involved, the potential awkwardness is compounded exponentially because the experience is less common and less talked about. Read More

Books by Irene S. Levine, Ph.D.

Best Friends Forever: Surviving a Breakup with Your Best Friend

Schizophrenia For Dummies (For Dummies (Health & Fitness))

Relationships Basics

Love is the most profound emotion known to human beings. For most people, romantic relationships are the most meaningful element in their lives. But the ability to have a healthy, loving relationship is not innate. Almost all of us have experienced a failed relationship, and most of us have to work consciously to master the skills necessary to make them flourish.

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Books by Irene S. Levine, Ph.D.

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