Things Not to Say When On the Dr. Laura Show

I was already working on an very considered entry here about how to get through a call with Dr. Laura. She mentioned on the show Monday, October 28, 2019 that "someone" (might have had me in mind... no, seriously) should come up with a list of things not to say while a caller on her show.

So, here they are, in no particular order.

Things Not to Say When On the Dr. Laura Schlessinger Show



I don't know/I don't know why (She can't help you without information.)

For some reason (This is another way of saying "I don't know".)

I know (As in "I know, I know...")

Right (Unless she has asks if you she got it right. Don't say "right" when your statements indicate you didn't think it was right, or when she's talking.)

Exactly (This is often used like "Right." It is NOT an acceptable response to her asking a question, like "Why would you do that?")

I did that already.

I guess/It's just/Even if/What if/It's hard/I wish

Easier said than done.

I feel... (Unless she has specifically asked you about your feelings.)

Part of me...

"Yes and no."

Subconsciously

I didn't mean to [do the thing I chose to do]

I'll try/I'll try that (No, just DO it.)

I have beautiful/smart/rich children (Unless it is absolutely essential to the problem.)

Porn/sex addict/addiction

Addiction is a disease

Struggled/struggles with drugs/alcohol/porn/addiction

Emotional abuse (Say what actually was said or done.)

Living together (When you really mean you/they are shacking up.)

Midlife crisis

Closure

Significant other

Partner (Unless you're talking about business or something like tennis or dancing.)

I'm bisexual/She's bisexual/He's bisexual (That's most likely trying to avoid the word gay.)

Intimacy (When you mean SEX.)

Yadda yadda

Everyone says... or Everyone is telling me...

You probably can't help me.

I know what you're going to say/I know what your answer will be.

I know you don't like.../I know how you feel about.../I know you're not a fan of...

I feel guilty (If you haven't done something illegal, immoral, fattening, or of which Dr. Laura disapproves.)

My friend (If you really don't know them or they are doing terrible things.)

Because he's/she's my [family member]. (When you are asked why you put up with/expose your children or spouse to an abusive or otherwise evil person.)

[A supernatural being] was looking out for me [and that is why I survived cancer or some disaster or crime or accident in which other people were seriously injured or killed.]

Kid's don't need a dad/Kids don't need a mom

I have PTSD (unless you've been in combat or some really traumatic disaster or were the victim of a severely violent crime.)

Out of character (Short of someone having a brain tumor or a degenerative disease which impacts the brain, I've never heard Dr. Laura allow a caller to say someone's actions were out of character. Whatever they do IS their character, even if you've never seen them do it before.)

*****

Avoid all "psychobabble" including, but probably not limited to:

-issues

-distance

-boundaries (unless you're talking about the edge of a property)

-toxic (unless you're talking about an actually toxic substance)

-enabling

-codependent

-love myself

*****

Don't diagnose. If someone has been diagnosed by a trained, licensed professional say so, but otherwise avoid saying:

-Depression

-Narcissist

-Passive-aggressive

-Sociopath

-Bipolar

You need to describe the behavior itself: "My son kicks the dog." "I asked my wife to make luxury hotel reservations in San Diego and she booked a death trap in Tijuana."

I hope this list helps!