Makes you crazy
August is a day away, which means, of course, that your shrink is packing up for Amagansett, or New England, or wherever it takes to get a few weeks away from all of your problems. You, of course, will need some stopgap help, which brings us to our annual look-see at the top psych mags.
Those in the “Eat, Pray, Love” set will find worthy bite-size pieces that promote mental well-being in
Psychologies. In fact, author Elizabeth Gilbert makes a brief appearance in the ad pages of the Hachette Filipacchi publication, promoting a September workshop on “Curiosity and Courage.”
The mag also pitches its own “Achieve Your Goals” workshop to help readers nurture their “wild and precious life,” writes editor Suzy Greaves. This month’s message: We’re really busy and overwhelmed and don’t know how to say no.
Harriet Minter writes about a 48hour ordeal in which she couldn’t find her cellphone — and during which, of course, she was able to find herself. “I pledge to lose it more often and see what comes into my life to fill the void,” she writes. Still, we were relieved to look up and see our phone perched just a few feet away.
Psychology Today Editor Kaja Perina celebrates the magazine, now in its 50th year, saying that “the golden age of behavioral sci- ence is only now beginning.”
That may be, Kaja, but if this month’s issue is any indication, why are you digging deep into such areas as dating advice and sham surgeries?
On relationships, we learn that the laws of attraction dictate why sometimes it takes only one look to be smitten, while other love affairs build over weeks. Sounds interesting — in a brainiac way. If we’re talking science, though, how about the idea of a love potion? That would really attract our attention.
Elsewhere, writer Wendy Paris assures us that movement and conversation can make those of us with asymmetrical faces more attractive to potential mates.
And then there’s just faking it. Placebo procedures can be effective in treating pain and other issues, Samuel Veissiere writes. This can involve “sham surgeries” in which chronic pain patients say they feel better after receiving anesthesia and only a superficial cut. Likewise, children have gotten relief from migraines after looking at phony scans of their brains.
The takeaway from both mags: Whatever ails you can be fixed by workshops, yoga and BS. Our takeaway: If that’s the best they can do, here’s hoping you’ve got a direct line to your shrink in Vermont or Long Island. You are likely going to need it.