Our Digital Archive from 2000 – 2016
Dear Dr. Norquist: I’m at a turning point in my life, and I’m not sure what to do. I guess fear gets in my way. My business (a small retail store) has been changing for awhile. I guess people don’t have as much cash available for the kind of non-essential things that we sell. I …
The beginning of the school year elicits many different emotions for children as September approaches. Some children may experience excitement about seeing friends, anxiety about adjusting to a new teacher, sadness because the summer is over, or frustration over having to wake up early. All of these feelings are typical reactions to the new school …
(Dr. Norquist is on holiday this week. We are re-running letters that were published earlier in this column.) Dear Dr. Norquist: I’m wondering about your thoughts on raising children. I come from a background that I don’t want to repeat – so I don’t really know how to mother, or what’s most important. I want …
Perfectionism In graduate school, I came across a perfectionism survey in a popular magazine. Although I did not think I was a perfectionist I decided to answer the 25-question survey. I was surprised to find that I scored 98 out of 100 on the survey. As if that score wasn’t high enough to illuminate my …
Dear Dr. Norquist: I am not sleeping at night. I can fall asleep, but I cannot stay asleep for the night. I usually wake up 3- 4 times per night and then will finally get up. Not sure if this is stress-related or not. I went to my doctor and she just prescribed medication. I …
Dear Dr. Norquist: I am totally overwhelmed with my life right now. I’m working full-time in a job that demands my full attention, and going to school in the evenings for my master’s degree. I feel so much pressure trying to get everything done well that I have trouble sleeping at night. My friends are …
(Dr. Norquist is on vacation this week. We are re-running a letter that was published earlier in this column.) Dear Dr. Norquist: My feelings of love for my fiancé seem to come and go. In fact I’m not really sure what I’m “supposed” to be feeling. I mean what is the experience of love supposed …
(Dr. Norquist is on vacation this week. We are re-running a letter that was published earlier in this column.) Dear Dr. Norquist: I never know what to expect from day to day. My job is unpredictable and I never know what kind of a mood my boss will be in. I’m a waitress and my …
Dear Dr. Norquist: I keep noticing that I act differently depending on who I am with. With my girlfriends I’m silly and girly. With my parents I only show the part of me that they can accept – the goody, goody part. At work I’m quiet (so different then when I’m with my friends). With …
(Dr. Norquist is on vacation this week. We are re-running a letter that was published earlier in this column.) Dear Dr. Norquist: I recently lost my mother to a two year struggle with cancer. I was able to care for her during this time period as she lived about 20 minutes from my home. My …