it Oven, by Dr. Clyde M. Narramore
Dr. Narramore, graduate of Columbia University, New York City, is a psychologist and Consultant in Research and Guidance with one of the largest school systems in the United States
flicts can be carried on most advan tageously during this period. REAL REJOICING Question. Dear Dr. Narramore: W e have just begun to live for Christ as a fam ily and what can be more wonderful! 1 have been a Chris tian from my youth but my husband just came into the fold two weeks ago. W e spend time in prayer and in His Word but need a guide for our fam ily devotions since our five chil dren are 12 years of age and under. So something simple and short to keep their interest would be very satis factory. Do you have suggestions? W e are so grateful to God for the love He has for us. Our earthly pos sessions are few but Heaven is our goal and through Him we want to be ready to win others in our community. Answer. I am so happy for you! Yes, I am sending you (and anyone who requests it) a special booklet that makes a number of suggestions for starting and improving family devo tions. PROJECTION Question. What do psychologists mean by “ projection” ? Answer. Projection involves imagin ing or noticing and calling attention to undesirable behavior or motives in others in order to deflect or minimize attention f r om o n e ’ s own short comings. One who projects, blames and criticizes others for faults that are frequently shown in his own be havior. Such a person is trying to maintain his social status and feeling of per sonal worth by disparaging others and by assuming that their standing is inferior to his. You have probably noticed that critical people call attention to be havior in others — behavior of which they are guilty themselves. This may be done either consciously or uncon sciously. Throughout the country Dr. and Mrs. Narramore conduct a daily radio program, "Psychology for Living." The broadcast is heard in Southern California over KBBI, 107.5 megacycles on the FM dial, at 2:00 P.M., Monday through Saturday.
think that this is the best way to get even with you for what you have done to him. I would suggest that you seriously consider what you may be doing to drive him into this world of silence. Do you talk too much yourself? Quite often men who enter the realm of silence do so because they are mar ried to a woman who talks incessant ly. Therefore the husband feels that if he never hears another word he will be happy. Utmost s i l e n c e week-after-week may also be an indication of mental illness. It is possible that your hus band is becoming mentally ill and that is one of the symptoms. He may need the services of a professionally- trained man. In your letter you have said noth ing about the Lord. I am wondering if either of you is a bom-again be liever. If you are not Christians, let me urge you to trust in Christ as your personal Savior. He will bring peace and joy to both of you and will enable you to establish a happy family. NARCOSIS THERAPY Question. A psychiatrist who is han dling my aunt’s case said they were employing “ narcosis therapy” . Would you kindly discuss this. What is it and what is it intended to do? Answer. Narcosis is a state of profound unconsciousness produced by a drug. It is a form of treatment involving prolonged sleep. By means of drugs the individual is kept asleep for periods varying from 15 to 20 hours a day. This method is used principally to quiet agitated and excited patients, and to make those who are un approachable more accessible to psy chotherapy. Although there is no set length of time, narcosis therapy is usually maintained for from 10 to 14 days. Throughout the entire period of treat ment the patient is under constant observation to prevent complications from developing. Treatment is ordi narily terminated gradually.. Although the patient is amenable to positive suggestion during the en tire course of treatment, he is espe cially so during the period of awaken ing. Discussion of his mental con
DR. NARRAMORE
THE SILENT TYPE Question. / have a problem, but please do not mention my name in the mag- . azine. M y husband is different from most men — at least I think he is. He hardly says two words for a whole week. He eats here and sleeps with our two boys. And I guess I am just his slave. H e ignores me and acts very indifferent. I am getting very lonesome and angry because of his actions. Please tell me what you would do if he did not speak to you. I can hard ly stand it when he acts this way. I feel like throwing all the dishes at him. But I know that wouldn’t do any good. I would appreciate any sug gestions that you have. Does anyone else have a problem like this? Answer. I am glad that you have men tioned my not divulging your name. I never do this. In fact if names are used at all, they are assumed ones. Basic information is changed suffi ciently so no one could possibly iden tify the person who has written. Yes, other women have this same problem. There are many wives whose husbands seldom talk. We realize that there are natural differences in people. Some men talk more, some less, but according to your letter, your husband’s problem has reached serious proportions. Natural ly, without knowing you and your husband, I could not possibly tell what is causing this. However, these are some of the common causes: Are his actions a form of retaliation toward you? Have you done some thing through the years that has caused your husband to treat you like this? He may feel that he is punish ing you by not speaking. He may
SEPTEMBER, 1959
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