Love During the Holidays
Here is a problem that I often see in my practice. True affection and love during the holidays often get lost amidst the celebration, parties, and good wishes for the …
A Psychiatrist Discusses the Illnesses of Affection
The “mother in the kitchen” syndrome refers to a time in life when all of us were in different parts of the home while our parent was making dinner in the kitchen. That simple presence assured us of love’s continuity and the safety of a caretaker; the caretaker did not have to be in the same room, but the feeling that they were simply available led to a sensation of comfort and certainty. Children need this type of constancy, but adults also benefit from the rustlings of a loved one nearby, be they in the kitchen, in the basement, or outside in the yard. Lovelessness often stems from the lack of a nearby source of affection. Future posts will examine this issue.