Does Grief Ever Go Away?

The holiday season that starts with Thanksgiving comes with an extra helping of anxiety this year, as the latest elections present a fresh opportunity to renew family feuds over politics. How to defuse the tensions so everyone can enjoy the meals and camaraderie? Dr. Saltz has some excellent ideas. (Hint: Advance planning helps.) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Losing a spouse or other loved one can result in a range of emotions including despair, sorrow and anger. And those feelings can last longer than you might expect. Dr. Saltz advises a listener who recently lost her father—and is worried about the profound grief of her mother. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Being unable to bring a baby into the world can lead to a wide swath of emotions—sorrow, jealousy, anger and depression among them. Dr. Saltz advises a listener who feels all those things, as well as regret at not having started a family sooner. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For some, the shorter days bring general unhappiness characterized by low energy, excess sleeping, and overeating carbs. Call it the winter blues, the blahs—or Seasonal Affective Disorder. Dr. Saltz reveals how to tell if you have this common malaise—and how to treat SAD until the sun comes back. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Having an authentic friendship can improve your health and wellbeing—and even extend your lifespan. Toxic friendships can do the opposite. Dr. Saltz tells how to cultivate new friendships as an adult, ensure that you’re a good friend to your existing companions, and end the relationships that just aren’t working out.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A feeling of terror. Sweating. Dizziness. Chest pains. A panic attack can be scary—although rarely dangerous. Dr. Saltz tells how to distinguish between isolated attacks and a true panic disorder—and offers ways to deal with both. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Most children, at some point, will throw a temper tantrum. But if these outbursts happen frequently, or at an inappropriate age, parents will want to investigate to find the underlying cause. Diagnosis, says Dr. Saltz, can lead to successful treatment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He can be charming and attentive most of the time, but if your partner becomes tightly controlling and undermines your sense of self-worth, it’s time to look for the exit. Dr Saltz tells a listener how to deal with an emotionally abusive boyfriend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When an office friendship turns into long lunches and longer phone calls, there’s something going on. But is it really cheating if there’s no physical component? Dr. Saltz helps a listener get honest with herself. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Even the most accomplished people can be haunted by the feeling that their success is just a matter of luck—and that soon everyone will learn their secret: That they’re really not smart, capable or talented. Dr. Saltz advises a young medical student who fears being unmasked as an imposter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices