I watched the film “The Social Network” earlier this week. I was struck by the irony that the main founder of Facebook who had so many social deficits himself ended up creating a global system for connecting with others. It’s a system for a virtual connection that is different than a real world relationship but is unrivaled in its scope and lightning-fast speed. There is a clear generation gap in how connecting through the internet is perceived. Older folks like me see engaging through the internet as a less real connection. It certainly eliminates the possible pheromone connections that I posted about. Now this study I am posting about today attempts to establish genetic linkages in social networks. If you read through the summary you will see that the data is far from a slam dunk. Maybe there are genetic similarities in social networks, and maybe there are not. But if there are, the questions are why we would aggregate with people who share a bit of DNA with us and how we could possibly perceive who shares these little pieces of DNA and who doesn’t.
Archive for the ‘Relationships’ Category
Genetic Social Networks?
Thursday, January 27th, 2011ADD Website
Wednesday, November 17th, 2010Recently a patient told me about this website that has helped him understand the complexities of a relationship with someone with ADD (attention deficit disorder). The site covers many aspects of ADD and is set up like a forum where there are many ongoing topics of conversation. Dr. Ted Hallowell is one of the moderators on the site. He is a recognized ADD specialist. I offer the link in hopes that it may be of use to some of my readers. I would appreciate feedback about your experiences with the site.
Stay out of the middle
Tuesday, April 21st, 2009Here is something that comes up in therapy frequently. People often feel caught in the middle of a conflict between two people they care about. The person in the middle ends up there because they feel distressed to see their loved ones unable to get along and they think they can help out as a mediator. Or they end up in the middle to protect one of the parties. Or they think they know a better solution to the problem than either of the parties. The people having the conflict are usually pulling the third person into the middle, even if unconsciously. In a way it lets the folks in conflict off the hook since they can let the one in the middle figure it all out. The reason this comes up in therapy is that being in the middle generally doesn’t work and the person in the middle can become quite anxious and even depressed as their best efforts are futile and they fell powerless and helpless. No one likes that feeling and if we are subjected to feeling powerless and helpless for a long time, it can lead to panic attacks or clinical depression. We only have the power to try to change ourselves, and that is a hard enough job most of the time. Trying to change others is beyond our reach. Learning to recognize when you have become stuck in the middle and developing strategies to get out and stay out of the middle are good for your mental health.
