Column Chronicles: Ask Dr. Shrink, session two

Ask Dr. Shrink, session two

Frank Cotolo
June 3, 2021

His name is still Wendell Pencilmark and he claims to be one of the best psychiatrists in the field today - and some think tomorrow. Wendell is known to as Dr. Shrink. He has agreed to continue with one of our most popular features, documenting his answers to questions people have sent him about problems. Thus, we continue to feature these Qs and As intermittently.

Q: My last shrink told me to write down everything I did each day and then boil those papers in water and bring them to our next session. Is that nuts?

A: Not if you added two tablespoons of Olive Oil when the water came to a boiling point.

Q: Guilt is all I feel anytime I make love or tie a knot. What could this mean?

A: Guilt comes in many forms but all of them reveal a deep misunderstanding of fear of being in peril during important encounters with love and, yes, the shoes you wear.

Q: Since I was a little girl of nine, I have had to skip every other step while walking across the street. I try to stop, especially when I fall, which is often, but I cannot.

A: When you were nine, you probably had a school teacher that scolded you when you left out three of more letters while reciting the alphabet. Make peace with the anger you have connected to your inability to complete reciting the entire alphabet from A to Z.

Q: What's with sex having to do with every bad feeling I get?

A: Sounds like you need to have sex with someone else besides yourself for once.

Q: My father beat me. When he died, my mother married another man and he beat me. This went on for five of her marriages. Could I have done anything to stop it?

A: You should have moved out.

Q: I failed at every job I ever took until I realized that I am no good at any job I take. Still, I admire my courage to continue living not being able to buy food, clothing or maintain a shelter. Is this sick?

A: I would not be so harsh as to call it sick. I would call it afflicted, unwell, insane, demented, disturbed, stricken, but not sick. Here's twenty bucks, go get something to eat.

Q: I have twelve brothers and sisters. We grew up in a one room apartment. I have a severe fear of open spaces since they all died. What should I do?

A: Forgive yourself for murdering your brothers and sisters and sit still right where you are while I call the police.

Frank Cotolo can be found hosting the talk and interview programme Cotolo Chronicles. You can send him an e-mail at this address: frank@148.ca.