- With Mayo Clinic psychiatrist
Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
Dr. Daniel Hall-Flavin, board certified in general psychiatry and addiction psychiatry, is a St. Louis native looking to the Internet as a way to help people improve their health and be more active participants in their own health care by learning from Mayo Clinic's experts.
Dr. Hall-Flavin has been a member of the faculties of Cornell University Medical College, New York Medical College, and The George Washington University Medical School before joining the Mayo Clinic staff in 1996. He has special interests in adult psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, and psychogenomics. He has served as medical director of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence from 1986 to 1999.
"With the advent of the genomics and proteomics revolution and the pace of advances in medicine, informed collaborative relationships between knowledgeable, capable health professionals and informed, proactive individuals and their families are more vital than ever," he said.
"I'm optimistic that our Internet health education activities will contribute to ever-improving health outcomes for all who participate and apply what is learned."
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- Dental floss vs. water pick: Which is better?
- Electric toothbrush: Better than a regular toothbrush?
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- Healthy skin: What role does diet play?
- Tanning beds: Safer than the sun?
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- Eye exam: Do I need a laser retina scan?
- Choosing sunglasses: Is UV protection important?
Sleep (3)
- Melatonin side effects: What are the risks?
- Sleep guidelines: How many hours of sleep are enough?
- Sleep aids: Can antihistamines help me sleep?
Mental health (1)
- Passive-aggressive behavior: How can I recognize it?
Healthy at work (3)
- Shift work: How do I adjust to daytime sleeping?
- Leg pain after prolonged standing or sitting: A concern?
- Test anxiety: Can it be treated?
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Question
Passive-aggressive behavior: How can I recognize it?
What are the signs and symptoms of passive-aggressive behavior?
Answer
from Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
Passive-aggressive behavior is a pattern of expressing your negative feelings in an indirect way — instead of openly addressing them.
People who are passive-aggressive appear to agree with the requests of others. They may even seem enthusiastic about them. But they don't perform a requested action on time or in a useful way, and may even work against it. In other words, they use nonverbal behavior to express anger or resentment that they can't express verbally. An example is showing up very late to a meeting that you didn't really want to attend and then making up excuses for your lateness that deflect attention from the real reason you were late.
Signs and symptoms of passive-aggressive behavior include:
- Resentment and opposition to the demands of others
- Complaining about feeling underappreciated or cheated
- Procrastination
- Stubbornness
- Inefficiency
- Memory lapses
- Sullenness
- Irritability
- Cynical attitude
Although passive-aggressive behavior can be a feature of some psychiatric disorders, it isn't considered a mental illness. Researchers are studying how to classify habitual and problematic behaviors such as passive-aggressiveness. If such behavior is troublesome or interferes with your relationships or daily activities, consult a therapist who can help you identify and change the behavior.
Next questionShift work: How do I adjust to daytime sleeping?
- Janowski D. Personality disorders. In: Ebert MH, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Psychiatry. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill Medical; 2008:513.
- Passive-aggressive personality disorder. In: Moore DP, et al. Handbook of Medical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/120944127-3/805556129/1243/145.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-02911-6..50145-7_1345. Accessed Feb. 17, 2009.
