Going back in the history of psychology and medicine, we’ve been told we are sexually frustrated, that our neuroses lead us to develop physical symptoms, that we are recruiting symptoms for psychological reasons, and in the current landscape of modern medicine, that we are prone to illnesses that “are all in our heads.” Fortunately, current research helps us to understand that some physical illnesses, especially those that are not easily explained, are not made up at all.

Many physicians, whom we often expect should know better, attribute being overweight solely to dietary habits. Weight gain is only partially related to self-control; extra pounds are also the result of genetic, biological and environmental influences.

Though many of us spend a lot of time trying to develop power and control, we are often reminded of our limitations. People we love die. Friends and relatives get sick and we cannot save them.