5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your Life

Personality

How to Avoid Arguing With High-Conflict People

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on September 30, 2024

It's tempting to argue with the cognitive distortions and aggressive behavior of high-conflict people, but it is pointless. Instead, focus on positive self-talk and set limits.

It's tempting to argue with the cognitive distortions and aggressive behavior of high-conflict people, but it is pointless. Instead, focus on positive self-talk and set limits.

Media

Is Media Culture Priming the World for Bullies as Leaders?

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on September 10, 2024

There is a strong correlation between the rise of social media and smartphones, with the rise of autocratic governments around the world with bullies claiming to be heroes.

There is a strong correlation between the rise of social media and smartphones, with the rise of autocratic governments around the world with bullies claiming to be heroes.

Bullying

Will Trump's Shooting Bring Us Together or Pull Us Apart?

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on July 16, 2024

Polarization grows worse or better but doesn't stand still. While us-against-them thinking is generally driven by bully leaders, we don't have to accept this in the words we use.

Polarization grows worse or better but doesn't stand still. While us-against-them thinking is generally driven by bully leaders, we don't have to accept this in the words we use.

Bullying

How to Be Assertive with Adult Bullies

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on June 29, 2024

Adult bullying may be on the rise. You can protect yourself with these simple steps.

Adult bullying may be on the rise. You can protect yourself with these simple steps.

Bullying

3 Hidden Powers of Sociopathic Bullies

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on June 24, 2024

Sociopaths are known for their deceptions. Three "hidden" powers often help them deceive others so well that their victims get blamed while the bully's behavior is ignored.

Sociopaths are known for their deceptions. Three "hidden" powers often help them deceive others so well that their victims get blamed while the bully's behavior is ignored.

Bullying

How to Set Limits on Bullying in Congress—and Anywhere Else

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on May 20, 2024

Bullying appears to be increasing everywhere, including in the halls of Congress. Committees and individuals need to learn how to set limits and impose consequences on bullies.

Bullying appears to be increasing everywhere, including in the halls of Congress. Committees and individuals need to learn how to set limits and impose consequences on bullies.

Cluster B

Can You Disagree Without Making It Personal?

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on March 20, 2024

With shortening attention spans, people seem also to have a limited ability to tolerate disagreements for very long. It can be tempting to make it personal.

With shortening attention spans, people seem also to have a limited ability to tolerate disagreements for very long. It can be tempting to make it personal.

Marriage

Is Marriage Good or Bad for Women?

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on March 8, 2024

A popular new book suggests that women should get divorced to be happy. Does this fit with the research on most married women's satisfaction with marriage?

A popular new book suggests that women should get divorced to be happy. Does this fit with the research on most married women's satisfaction with marriage?

Politics

Why Political Polarization Grows—And How to Reduce It

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on February 4, 2024

Polarization in groups tends to be emotionally driven. Research shows that addressing this through personal contact with others with opposing views can reduce it.

Polarization in groups tends to be emotionally driven. Research shows that addressing this through personal contact with others with opposing views can reduce it.

Personality Disorders

How to End a Hostile Conversation in 2 Steps

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on December 29, 2023

You can set limits on hostile conversations with two simple steps. It doesn't have to be complicated and it could benefit your mental health.

You can set limits on hostile conversations with two simple steps. It doesn't have to be complicated and it could benefit your mental health.

Parental Alienation

Should Alienated Parents Apologize to Their Children?

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on December 28, 2023

In parental alienation, the source of a child's rejection of one parent is primarily the other parent's emotions and behavior. Asking the rejected parent to apologize is misplaced.

In parental alienation, the source of a child's rejection of one parent is primarily the other parent's emotions and behavior. Asking the rejected parent to apologize is misplaced.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Setting Limits With Relatives With Borderline Personalities

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on December 27, 2023

Setting limits can be a challenge, but it may make it possible to have a positive relationship with a relative with a borderline personality or any Cluster B personality disorder.

Setting limits can be a challenge, but it may make it possible to have a positive relationship with a relative with a borderline personality or any Cluster B personality disorder.

Forgiveness

When Not to Apologize

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on September 29, 2023

The words “I’m sorry” can be easily misused by high-conflict people preoccupied with blaming others.

The words “I’m sorry” can be easily misused by high-conflict people preoccupied with blaming others.

Sociopathy

How Sociopaths Can Con Therapists in Legal Disputes

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on September 25, 2023

Therapists are increasingly asked to assess or comment on mental health issues in legal disputes. Sometimes, they are conned by sociopaths who figure out their weaknesses.

Therapists are increasingly asked to assess or comment on mental health issues in legal disputes. Sometimes, they are conned by sociopaths who figure out their weaknesses.

Parental Alienation

Treating Child Anxiety in Cases of Parental Alienation

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on August 31, 2023

Parents and professionals often misunderstand anxiety treatment in divorce. With an alienated child, they often allow avoidance of a rejected parent rather than exposure.

Parents and professionals often misunderstand anxiety treatment in divorce. With an alienated child, they often allow avoidance of a rejected parent rather than exposure.

Anxiety

The Role of Anxiety in Parental Alienation

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on June 28, 2023

Parental alienation occurs in about 20-25 percent of custody disputes. While a lot of anger is often generated over who to blame, managing intense emotions may help.

Parental alienation occurs in about 20-25 percent of custody disputes. While a lot of anger is often generated over who to blame, managing intense emotions may help.

Parental Alienation

Principles for Treating Parental Alienation and Estrangement

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on June 18, 2023

When a child resists spending time with a parent in a divorce, the treatment must address differences between parental alienation and/or realistic estrangement.

When a child resists spending time with a parent in a divorce, the treatment must address differences between parental alienation and/or realistic estrangement.

Parental Alienation

Resist/Refuse Dynamics in Divorce: How Can They Be Analyzed?

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on May 22, 2023

Parental alienation and realistic estrangement look the same when a child resists a parent. Any analysis must be careful to consider several ethical and clinical standards.

Parental alienation and realistic estrangement look the same when a child resists a parent. Any analysis must be careful to consider several ethical and clinical standards.

Parental Alienation

Parental Alienation and the Child’s Brain

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on March 31, 2023

Some children resist being with a parent during a high-conflict divorce. If the situation is not resolved quickly, changes in the child's brain may make the rejection permanent.

Some children resist being with a parent during a high-conflict divorce. If the situation is not resolved quickly, changes in the child's brain may make the rejection permanent.

Grief

Why High Conflict People Are Often Stuck in the Past

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on March 30, 2023

If you know someone who constantly argues about what happened and seems stuck in the past, you may be dealing with a high-conflict person who cannot grieve and heal.

If you know someone who constantly argues about what happened and seems stuck in the past, you may be dealing with a high-conflict person who cannot grieve and heal.