This week will be the 24th anniversary of my life as a quadriplegic. Of course, this disability carries a great deal of adversity. But it also has taught me some valuable lessons, one as recently as last month. I drive an adapted van. Because I have difficulty with body control, I drive slower than most […]

In an October column, I responded to a letter from a woman concerned about her brother, who apparently suffered a severe anxiety disorder. He lived alone and frequently missed work for fear of being around people. To cope with the anxiety, he began drinking excessively. As a result of the alcohol abuse, he developed a […]

Parents must de-emphasize achievement, engender warmth. Almost every religion has faith and kindness as its core values. Religions teach compassion and helping those who are more vulnerable. And we all agree with these principles. So why don’t we apply them with our children? Remember when your children were born and you looked in their eyes […]

Nothing ignites our passions like the topic of abortion. And nothing closes a dialogue like that topic, either. I can almost hear hearts beating more rapidly as you begin to read this column. So what’s going on? Congress has passed legislation banning the procedure sometimes called “partial birth” abortion, and the President has promised to […]

Dear Dr. Dan, My adult brother has a serious anxiety disorder. He lives alone and, although he still has a job, he only reports to it sporadically. The thought of being at work, or for that matter around people, causes panic attacks. He has turned to alcohol and has been hospitalized for this several times. […]

I recently visited a new casino in Atlantic City with a friend, and we passed a large, imposing door labeled “Security.” I told my friend I wanted to go in. “Why?” he asked. “Well, see that attractive woman sitting by herself? I would love to ask her to have a drink with me, but I’m […]

Think about the stresses children are living with these days: war, bullying, relentless pressures to achieve, divorce, threats of terrorism. Despite all our efforts to protect our children, the stressors continue. That’s why the American Psychological Association has teamed up with Time magazine’s children’s publication, Time for Kids, to help young people cope. I asked […]

Ten years ago I wrote my first column for The Inquirer. It was a response to a letter from a woman who wanted to know how to recover from the trauma of a devastating automobile accident. Part of the reason this column is titled “On Healing” is that I receive thousands of calls and letters […]

Recently I had dinner with a friend who raised the following provocative question: “Whatever you think about Kobe Bryant, President Bush, the war in Iraq – what would it take to change your thinking to the other side?” He further suggested that, until I could answer that question, I would likely not be successful in […]