Lifetime Connections

Narcissism

What Does Research Say About Older Adult Narcissists?

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on April 12, 2024

Don’t feel guilty about failing to make a narcissist happy. Here's why.

Don’t feel guilty about failing to make a narcissist happy. Here's why.

Borderline Personality Disorder

BPD: When You Can’t See the Kindness in Others

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on March 1, 2024

8 strategies that support healthy engagement along with personal well-being if your partner or friend has been diagnosed with BPD.

8 strategies that support healthy engagement along with personal well-being if your partner or friend has been diagnosed with BPD.

Relationships

4 Signs of Quiet Quitting in a Relationship

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on February 12, 2024

Quiet quitting partners may be responding to an unhealthy relationship culture or dealing with their own shifting needs. Here are three ideas for revitalizing the relationship.

Quiet quitting partners may be responding to an unhealthy relationship culture or dealing with their own shifting needs. Here are three ideas for revitalizing the relationship.

Friends

Friendship or Romance: We All Need to Belong

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on February 6, 2024

Belongingness is essential to our well-being, and we feel it when people move towards us, not away from us.

Belongingness is essential to our well-being, and we feel it when people move towards us, not away from us.

Trauma

Can a Broken Heart Kill You?

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on January 19, 2024

Broken heart syndrome is real. Rejection, trauma, and betrayal can have a severe impact on our hearts. Some people may die of a broken heart.

Broken heart syndrome is real. Rejection, trauma, and betrayal can have a severe impact on our hearts. Some people may die of a broken heart.

Suicide

Suicide Rates Are Up: Are Some Online Posts Warning Signs?

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on January 8, 2024

Just as indifference, not hate, is the opposite of love, "anti-mattering" is the opposite of mattering. Listen to others for feelings of loneliness and rejection.

Just as indifference, not hate, is the opposite of love, "anti-mattering" is the opposite of mattering. Listen to others for feelings of loneliness and rejection.

Social Life

The Chameleon Effect: Why We Mirror Friends and Lovers

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on December 21, 2023

If you want to feel like you belong—or help someone else feel more comfortable—mimicry or mirroring can be practical tools.

If you want to feel like you belong—or help someone else feel more comfortable—mimicry or mirroring can be practical tools.

Relationships

What Is the Biggest Mistake Gift-Givers Make?

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on December 13, 2023

Gifts are symbols of sentiments towards someone. Problems arise when there's a mismatch between the symbol the gift giver uses and the way the recipient translates its meaning.

Gifts are symbols of sentiments towards someone. Problems arise when there's a mismatch between the symbol the gift giver uses and the way the recipient translates its meaning.

Self-Help

The Best Self-Care Is Caring for Others

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on November 17, 2023

Try these 10 suggestions for engaging in the kind of self-care that truly increases your well-being—pro-social care is the key to authentic self-care.

Try these 10 suggestions for engaging in the kind of self-care that truly increases your well-being—pro-social care is the key to authentic self-care.

Relationships

5 Ways to Cultivate Self-Intimacy and Enjoy More Satisfying Relationships

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on November 10, 2023

Self-intimacy gives us space to explore who we are when we’re on our own and when we're in relationships with others.

Self-intimacy gives us space to explore who we are when we’re on our own and when we're in relationships with others.

Gender

Gender-Creative Parenting Lets Kids Be Kids

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on November 3, 2023

Gender-creative parenting isn't "all or nothing." There are many practices that parents can introduce, even before birth, to support a child's identity as they grow.

Gender-creative parenting isn't "all or nothing." There are many practices that parents can introduce, even before birth, to support a child's identity as they grow.

Depression

Major Depressive Disorder: Could Nature Be a Cure?

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on October 31, 2023

Getting outside, being in nature, and moving our bodies may be key to helping address symptoms of depression. Integrating mindfulness could be especially helpful.

Getting outside, being in nature, and moving our bodies may be key to helping address symptoms of depression. Integrating mindfulness could be especially helpful.

Relationships

7 Ways to Tell if a Relationship Is Built to Last

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on October 13, 2023

Not everyone is looking for a long-term relationship, but if you are, here are seven questions to ask yourself to determine if the one you're in has the potential.

Not everyone is looking for a long-term relationship, but if you are, here are seven questions to ask yourself to determine if the one you're in has the potential.

Narcissism

How to Manage Narcissistic Parents as They Age

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on September 20, 2023

Narcissistic abuse by an older adult parent can create struggles and generate guilt that your younger self likely never imagined.

Narcissistic abuse by an older adult parent can create struggles and generate guilt that your younger self likely never imagined.

Self-Esteem

Why We Need to Matter to the People Who Matter Most to Us

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on September 15, 2023

Belonging means there’s a place for us at the table, but when we matter to the others around the table, it means that they are grateful for our presence and value what we bring.

Belonging means there’s a place for us at the table, but when we matter to the others around the table, it means that they are grateful for our presence and value what we bring.

Addiction

How to Cope When Dealing With a Loved One's Addiction

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on September 1, 2023

Don't lose sight of the person trapped by the addiction—sometimes, holding on to that image is what provides the fuel to keep going.

Don't lose sight of the person trapped by the addiction—sometimes, holding on to that image is what provides the fuel to keep going.

Parenting

Parenting an Adult Addict: Be Kind to Yourself

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on August 18, 2023

Parenting an adult addict can be a painfully isolating experience if you allow stigma to keep you from seeking support.

Parenting an adult addict can be a painfully isolating experience if you allow stigma to keep you from seeking support.

Bullying

Stop Bullying Before It Turns Lethal

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on August 9, 2023

Encourage kindness, respect, and empathy in your children. If a bystander intervenes, there is more than a 50 percent chance bullying ceases within 10 seconds.

Encourage kindness, respect, and empathy in your children. If a bystander intervenes, there is more than a 50 percent chance bullying ceases within 10 seconds.

Friends

10 Tips for Healing From a Broken Friendship

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on July 25, 2023

Friends are our go-to people when life gets tough. But what happens when our best friendship falls apart? Here are some ideas for coping with the heartbreak.

Friends are our go-to people when life gets tough. But what happens when our best friendship falls apart? Here are some ideas for coping with the heartbreak.

Media

Why So Many Performers Must Now Dodge Flying Objects

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on July 10, 2023

Dodging cellphones, receiving cremains, and being pelted by assorted objects from the crowds are putting entertainers in an awkward position. What is going on with fans today?

Dodging cellphones, receiving cremains, and being pelted by assorted objects from the crowds are putting entertainers in an awkward position. What is going on with fans today?