Each of us is a result of our own unique complex mixture of nature and nurture.

Watching the new Pixar movie “Inside Out” (you can see the official trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIDYqBMFzfg) is a delight! In many ways it is a dream for the psychologically-minded, and is given a great summary and analysis by Dr. Janina Scarlet (https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/beyond-heroes-and-villains/201506/inside-out-emotional-truths-way-pixar).

Are you a perfectionist? Is your tendency to hold yourself to the highest standards – on everything? Is it unacceptable for you to make mistakes? Do you expect yourself, and those around you, to always be the best? Do you see mistakes as evidence of unworthiness?

Anger is an emotion most of us are familiar with, experiencing it in varying degrees as a result of all kinds of experiences.  It is a very individual response, with both unique as well as fairly universal triggering events.  Anger expression also has a wide range: anything from internalized, non-expressed, or quick release of the feeling, to loud and/or physical expression, ranging all the way to violence. 

When you get a cancer diagnosis, you may feel like your hair is on fire.  The good news is that many cancers are physically treatable.  While there are chemotherapies and other known protocols for treating many, if not most, of the common cancers, what about the psychological and emotional impact?