ArcaMax

Dear Eric: I am part of a group of friends from church. We have known each other for more than 40 years. There is one member who has done very well in business. We are all doing fine financially. The group contains multiple doctors and lawyers. This man however cannot stop bragging about the money and privileges he has acquired. He must workshop...Read more

Dear Eric: I have been going to the same massage therapist for about 15 years. I first met them at a nationwide chain massage company and then followed them to a boutique massage business before they moved private services to their house.

They have the same setup at home as a traditional massage company, with all the bells and whistles, in a ...Read more

Dear Eric: My brothers and I have a problem with our mother who is in her mid-70s. Whenever she calls us or we call her it starts out well then out of the blue she starts fibbing about people that are supposedly out to get her.

She accuses them of trying to take her job away or saying that they stole from her only to find the missing item(s) ...Read more

Dear Eric: Our high school group of friends gather once a week. One person constantly has a story to tell about her, her children, her cooking skills, everything she has done and, of course, surpasses anything the rest of us are capable of.

One lady was telling us about a dish she made for her family. This person said she makes the dish with a ...Read more

Dear Eric: My sister-in-law is 75, divorced and has a useless 40-something son. He has never held a steady job. When he does get a job, he finds some excuse to quit or else says he got injured. He then comes home and eats and drinks to his heart's content. Then he will convince her he has an opportunity, so she gives him some money, and he ...Read more

Dear Eric: I'm a woman in my early 60s. I was recently given notice that my job will end in a couple months due to the current federal financial situation (it was grant funded). I loved this work but because my husband can't move or work remotely, I'm limited to jobs close to home or remote.

I've been applying but haven't received any offers. I...Read more

Dear Eric: A friend of mine whom I’ve known for more than 30 years has asked me to be the executor of her small estate. I agreed to do so. To make that task less difficult for me, I’ve asked her to create a list of those she wants me to contact upon her death and to settle some financial loose ends. I have offered to help her do both and I ...Read more

Dear Eric: I have had the same best friend for the majority of our lives and today I am confused and saddened due to a huge change in our relationship.

For most of those years we were each other’s therapist, helping each other through a series of very trying times. No secrets and a lot of honesty. She is historically fragile, now suffering ...Read more

Dear Eric: I have two daughters, "Tracy," who has two adult children, and "Mary," who has three adult children. Tracy is financially comfortable and has been retired for several years. Mary is doing OK but still has to work. They are three years apart; Mary is younger.

Mary is a devoted daughter who has been there for me after a cancer surgery,...Read more

Dear Eric: We are friends with a disabled veteran who is despised and neglected by his family. Another friend drives him around so he can get out of the house and interact with other human beings.

I'm a professional artist and was exhibiting at an art/craft show this past weekend. The veteran and his friend came to enjoy the show, and to see ...Read more

Dear Eric: I am struggling with my mother.

Soon after I got engaged, my then-fiancé began stalking me at work, driving around my employer's parking lot doing “wheelies.” I wasn't allowed to even look at another man while in a car traveling somewhere.

I broke up with him. However, I would find him parked in an alley behind my house waiting...Read more

Dear Eric: I’ve been in a relationship with a man for several years, and in so many ways we truly connect. He’s kind, loyal and we get along beautifully. But lately, I’ve been feeling unsure about where things are headed. It feels like we’re stuck in a place that’s more friendship than partnership, and my heart wants something deeper. ...Read more

Dear Eric: I have blood drawn weekly. The last time the needle prick stung a good bit unlike all the others and the next day my arm was black and blue. Next time when I go in, and my number is drawn, if I see that nurse, would it be acceptable to decline and say I’ll wait for the next nurse?

– Bad Blood Draw

Dear Draw: That’s acceptable ...Read more

Dear Eric: I’m getting married this summer after a long engagement. We’ve planned a destination wedding. Everyone we’ve invited has said they’re very excited about it and we got almost all yeses on our RSVPs, which I’ve read is rare. I have a great feeling about the whole thing.

The problem is my twin brother, who has been dating his ...Read more

Dear Eric: I’ve recently started dating someone who is what you’d call “extremely online.” She’s really active on a bunch of different platforms – Reddit, TikTok, Instagram, Twitch. It’s kind of her whole life. She has a whole community of friends she only knows online and she’s pretty popular on some of the sites.

That’s ...Read more

Dear Eric: Three of us attended high school together and remained close friends for many decades, even though we sometimes lived quite far from each other.

A few years ago, “Beth” had some medical problems that were exacerbated by COVID, and she had to retire unexpectedly from a fulfilling job. She fell into a deep depression and withdrew ...Read more

Dear Eric: I am 72 and a father of five. Over time, my relationship with my wife has become very difficult. She is loudly critical, demanding and nagging, holding back all kinds of affection.

Meaningful conversations between my wife and me are thwarted by her unwillingness to engage in rational discussions. Whenever I attempt to convey my ...Read more

Dear Eric: About three years ago, I found out I have a neural immune skin issue where I break out with bumps which scab over and are very sore and painful. About a year ago, this condition broke out on my scalp, and it is not healing and going away. I have some areas of alopecia, and the sores and scabs are very painful.

As a result, the ...Read more

Dear Eric: My 23-year-old stepdaughter moved in with us four years ago. She leaves for days on end and doesn’t let her dad know where she is. We both worry. She has been gone for months at a time.

A couple months ago, I ventured into her bedroom because I had an electrician coming and I found a disgusting mess: garbage and dirty clothes ...Read more

Dear Eric: My 15-year-old daughter has a host of diagnoses that my husband and I are trying to navigate. We are receiving service and advice from a psychiatrist, a therapist, an occupational therapist and a speech therapist.

My problem is that I am constantly receiving rude comments and unwanted advice about my daughter. These fall into two ...Read more