Intense Emotions and Strong Feelings

A Language Everyone Should Understand

Grief
What to Say to the Brokenhearted

Mary C. Lamia Ph.D. on June 18, 2025

The heartbroken are haunted by the ghosts of what was good—they grieve the positive qualities and memories of the person they lost.

The heartbroken are haunted by the ghosts of what was good—they grieve the positive qualities and memories of the person they lost.

Relationships
Lighting a Fire When the Love Light Grows Dim

Mary C. Lamia Ph.D. on December 3, 2024

Mutually interesting and novel activities link people together, and such connections are important to an enduring relationship that keeps the love light burning.

Mutually interesting and novel activities link people together, and such connections are important to an enduring relationship that keeps the love light burning.

Shame
What Good Is Regret?

Mary C. Lamia Ph.D. on September 17, 2024

Our regrets may preserve an emotional attachment to someone or something we lost or someone or something we should have avoided in the first place.

Our regrets may preserve an emotional attachment to someone or something we lost or someone or something we should have avoided in the first place.

Shame
The Hidden Struggle: Understanding Shame in Addiction

Mary C. Lamia Ph.D. on August 13, 2024

Addictive behaviors create a difficult-to-break cycle of shame that creates further shame unless explored in a way that allows learning to take place.

Addictive behaviors create a difficult-to-break cycle of shame that creates further shame unless explored in a way that allows learning to take place.

Aging
Exploring Ageism: Are We All Guilty of Age Bias?

Mary C. Lamia Ph.D. on July 8, 2024

The elderly may be more prone than younger people to stereotype their age group, research finds. Here's what else we've learned about recognizing and combatting ageism.

The elderly may be more prone than younger people to stereotype their age group, research finds. Here's what else we've learned about recognizing and combatting ageism.

Grief
The Shadows of Lost Dreams in Matters of the Heart

Mary C. Lamia Ph.D. on January 29, 2024

Emotions and memories alert us to opportunities, problems, and what’s happening around us as we traverse the present and prepare for the future.

Emotions and memories alert us to opportunities, problems, and what’s happening around us as we traverse the present and prepare for the future.

Grief
How Loss Changes Us

Mary C. Lamia Ph.D. on May 15, 2023

Uncertainty, confusion, vulnerability, and disorientation can arise in response to the permanent, and perhaps unexpected, absence of a familiar person, place, or thing.

Uncertainty, confusion, vulnerability, and disorientation can arise in response to the permanent, and perhaps unexpected, absence of a familiar person, place, or thing.

Relationships
Loving on the Edge

Mary C. Lamia Ph.D. on February 8, 2023

The complexity of someone’s history may provide intrinsic value to a relationship rather than be inherently damaging.

The complexity of someone’s history may provide intrinsic value to a relationship rather than be inherently damaging.

Back
Back
Find a Therapist
Back
Get Help
Back
Magazine
November 2025 magazine cover
November 2025
Healing Family Splits

Cut-offs cut deep and wide, their emotional impact reverberating far beyond the combatants. Because much of the suffering is hidden, repair is challenging for everyone, not least of all therapists.

Subscribe Issue Archive
Back
Tests
Self Tests
Self Tests

Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.

Self Assessments
Quizzes