Biting the skin off my fingers feels like self-harm – but I can’t stop
Dear Annalisa, Since childhood I have bitten the skin off my fingers, often leaving them bloody and painful. I am in my 50s now and my poor fingers…
I can’t get past how empty I feel since my best friend died
Dear Annalisa, Last summer, my best friend died. I wasn’t able to fly to the US for his funeral. Mike (not his real name) was the…
I was brought up in an abusive family. Should I cut them off
Dear Annalisa, I’m going through prolonged issues that have churned up painful memories of my childhood and adulthood. It’s difficult to know how to go on, as my…
What can we do to stop our son’s post-nursery meltdowns?
Dear Annalisa, I am a married mum of two boys, aged four and two. The oldest goes to nursery Monday-Friday, and the youngest is looked after at…
My mother’s grief is making our relationship toxic
Dear Annalisa, I am a woman in my late 30s, married with two small children with a rewarding and demanding career. I live some hours’ drive away from…
How can I take back control of my life when my parents support me financially?
Dear Annalisa, I am a woman in my early 20s, an international student, in the first year of a five-year medical degree. I’m completely financially dependent on…
My partner doesn’t want me on the mortgage – should I be worried?
Dear Annalisa, My partner bought a house last year which I now live in, but we don’t share a thing and I am starting to wonder if…
I’m sure my friend has an eating disorder. Should I try to talk to her about it?
Dear Annalisa, Over the years, my best friend and I have shared the highs and lows of motherhood, career and family. As we get older, however, it…
How do I protect my bereaved friend from predatory behaviour?
Dear Annalisa, I recently saw an old friend for the first time in a few years and feel I must do something to help her but I’m…
My mother-in-law is so possessive about our unborn baby. What can I do?
Dear Annalisa, I’m pregnant with my first child. My husband and I waited a long time to tell my in-laws because we knew all hell would break loose…
Annalisa Barbieri 
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