Published in the April 2025 Edition
By Janan Broadbent, Ph. D.
Ask Dr. J is back! Those of you who were readers of Baltimore Outloud may remember that I used to write this column for several years, focusing on relationships and dedicated to the memory of my late son. Then Covid came and the world changed and everything went to online and that publication disappeared. Now, thanks to efforts of Adam Romanik and Mary Taylor, it is back as Maryland Outloud. I am grateful that I have been asked to revive the column. I welcome any questions that you have on what is happening around us, in our relationships, and in how we deal with the world even beyond our relationships.
I would be remiss if I did not start this column with an acknowledgement of the unreal situation we are currently experiencing. In all these years of working with people and relationships, I did not encounter, in the therapy context, the level of anxiety, bewilderment, and confusion that are all around us. Friendships and relationships are challenged by differing and often opposing views. The debilitating effects of the isolation (or 24/7 togetherness) of the Covid years took a toll, so were you surprised that the divorce rate went up? But then, here came the national elections and today, less than three months after the inauguration, there is a level of instability that affects us all.
The human mind craves consistency and predictability. It is not only the stock market and the financial world that thrive on those concepts. Ambiguity perceived in the environment is one of the main causes of depression. Even the most adventuresome of us needs a base level of certainty. So how do we maintain a sense of stability within ourselves to stay mentally healthy? I will get into these topics in the upcoming editions. I welcome any questions, comments, and challenges you may have. Let’s rely on the strength each one of us brings to this forum to look forward with hope and optimism.
drjananb@gmail.com