Culture Shrink

Trauma

Mournful in Middle Age: Our Collective Trauma in the 2020s

Jean Kim M.D. on February 8, 2024

Personal Perspective: Recent viral emotional outpourings in response to pop cultural events may reflect a need to acknowledge our ongoing collective trauma.

Personal Perspective: Recent viral emotional outpourings in response to pop cultural events may reflect a need to acknowledge our ongoing collective trauma.

Dreaming

College Anxiety Dreams in Midlife: Crisis or Hope?

Jean Kim M.D. on December 5, 2023

Personal Perspective: College anxiety dreams are common in midlife. They may reflect worries about self-actualization but can be used for self-reflection and encouragement.

Personal Perspective: College anxiety dreams are common in midlife. They may reflect worries about self-actualization but can be used for self-reflection and encouragement.

Caregiving

America's Caregiving Crisis: A Growing Disaster

Jean Kim M.D. on November 27, 2023

As a country, we generally lack user-friendly, systematic resources and policies to address the growing adult caregiving crisis, which can lead to caregiver stress and insolvency.

As a country, we generally lack user-friendly, systematic resources and policies to address the growing adult caregiving crisis, which can lead to caregiver stress and insolvency.

Career

Menstrual Leave: Sexist or Humane?

Jean Kim M.D. on November 19, 2023

The recent adoption of menstrual leave policies in other countries raises awareness about those living with these ailments in the workplace. What can we learn from this?

The recent adoption of menstrual leave policies in other countries raises awareness about those living with these ailments in the workplace. What can we learn from this?

Ethics and Morality

The Cost of Standing Up for What Is Right

Jean Kim M.D. on September 29, 2023

Many morally courageous people in history are praised after great sacrifices are made; is there a way for people to support their bravery in the moment instead?

Many morally courageous people in history are praised after great sacrifices are made; is there a way for people to support their bravery in the moment instead?

Consumer Behavior

The Dangerous Psychology of Convenience

Jean Kim M.D. on August 21, 2023

Our modern society focuses too much on the culture of convenience, at the cost of ignoring major existential dangers to civilization on the horizon.

Our modern society focuses too much on the culture of convenience, at the cost of ignoring major existential dangers to civilization on the horizon.

Family Dynamics

The Brilliant Psychological Rawness of The Bear

Jean Kim M.D. on July 23, 2023

This streaming show illustrates the links between family trauma and the life one chooses to lead, in this case, the semi-abusive but compelling food world.

This streaming show illustrates the links between family trauma and the life one chooses to lead, in this case, the semi-abusive but compelling food world.

Depression

Does Unipolar Depression Cause Creativity?

Jean Kim M.D. on June 18, 2023

While many have noted the relationship between mood disorders and creative expression, people with unipolar depression may have a distinct link to creativity.

While many have noted the relationship between mood disorders and creative expression, people with unipolar depression may have a distinct link to creativity.

Identity

The Psychology of Naming

Jean Kim M.D. on June 10, 2023

Names are a fundamental part of how we present ourselves to each other, yet it's easy to forget how much they can mean to a person's identity in relation to others.

Names are a fundamental part of how we present ourselves to each other, yet it's easy to forget how much they can mean to a person's identity in relation to others.

Therapy

"Beef" and Asian American Mental Health: The Good, Bad, Ugly

Jean Kim M.D. on May 28, 2023

The Netflix show "Beef" presents a frank portrayal of dark emotions in Asian Americans pursuing the American dream; that honesty is key to our mental health

The Netflix show "Beef" presents a frank portrayal of dark emotions in Asian Americans pursuing the American dream; that honesty is key to our mental health

Career

Is Hard Work Really a Virtue?

Jean Kim M.D. on March 21, 2023

Americans have traditionally overvalued hard work as a virtue, but, after the pandemic, we are realizing that work-life balance is the best virtue of all for our mental health.

Americans have traditionally overvalued hard work as a virtue, but, after the pandemic, we are realizing that work-life balance is the best virtue of all for our mental health.

Mindfulness

Photo Snapshots as Therapy: A Mindfulness Hack?

Jean Kim M.D. on March 9, 2023

Simple methods for brief meditation and mindfulness built into our busy days can help empower us to emphasize self-care and mental health.

Simple methods for brief meditation and mindfulness built into our busy days can help empower us to emphasize self-care and mental health.

Law and Crime

Why Do We Watch True Crime Shows?

Jean Kim M.D. on February 20, 2023

True crime shows are increasingly popular. The reasons may have to do with our increasing sense of moral alienation and disconnection from our lives.

True crime shows are increasingly popular. The reasons may have to do with our increasing sense of moral alienation and disconnection from our lives.

Trauma

The Underrated Trauma of Being Fired

Jean Kim M.D. on December 16, 2022

Being fired from a job is an underrated traumatic event. It's important to discuss the psychological fallout, and to seek appropriate help and coping strategies.

Being fired from a job is an underrated traumatic event. It's important to discuss the psychological fallout, and to seek appropriate help and coping strategies.

Bias

The Psychology of Workplace Bias in "Partner Track"

Jean Kim M.D. on November 22, 2022

The Netflix series "Partner Track" vividly portrays the psychological effects of implicit workplace bias on its minority protagonists.

The Netflix series "Partner Track" vividly portrays the psychological effects of implicit workplace bias on its minority protagonists.

Grief

The Itaewon Tragedy: Coping With Grief Overseas

Jean Kim M.D. on November 19, 2022

The Itaewon Halloween tragedy underscores the complex relationship between South Korea and America and the particular grief of Korean immigrants who know both worlds well.

The Itaewon Halloween tragedy underscores the complex relationship between South Korea and America and the particular grief of Korean immigrants who know both worlds well.

Health

A Federal Task Force Recommends Anxiety Screening. Now What?

Jean Kim M.D. on September 30, 2022

The USPSTF now recommends routine screening for anxiety at primary care visits, which should help with the destigmatization of mental health. But the system may not be ready.

The USPSTF now recommends routine screening for anxiety at primary care visits, which should help with the destigmatization of mental health. But the system may not be ready.

Dreaming

When Dreams Become Nightmares: Destructive Goal-Setting

Jean Kim M.D. on August 30, 2022

Working toward one's dreams can be invaluable, but for some, it can become self-punitive and self-destructive when those goals are empty or impossible.

Working toward one's dreams can be invaluable, but for some, it can become self-punitive and self-destructive when those goals are empty or impossible.

Charisma

Examining the Psychological Narrative Behind "The Princess"

Jean Kim M.D. on August 29, 2022

The recent HBO documentary "The Princess" allows media footage to speak for itself, illustrating key moments of the public's and the royals' ultimately tragic relationship with Diana.

The recent HBO documentary "The Princess" allows media footage to speak for itself, illustrating key moments of the public's and the royals' ultimately tragic relationship with Diana.

Sociopathy

Are Psychopaths Born or Made?

Jean Kim M.D. on March 25, 2022

Psychopathy, sociopathy, and antisocial personality disorder are terms that address the darkest human behaviors. How can we better understand them and their causes?

Psychopathy, sociopathy, and antisocial personality disorder are terms that address the darkest human behaviors. How can we better understand them and their causes?