Being a successful career woman is about knowing when to react and when to control your reactions, because that is power. Whether it's biting your tongue, stroking an ego because your job depends on it (like mine did) or telling yourself to calm down and just be free of fear.

The trauma caused by the Holocaust still resonates in the Jewish psyche, causing symptoms physically, emotionally, as well as in their relationships and families.

Being sensitive to humor is a tricky business; there is always a way out for the humorist -- "It was just a joke." However, associating Jews with hypochondria risks pathologizing Jews for taking their pain, trauma, and fears seriously.

I don't mind placating my son on small matters. I still let him suck on a pacifier when he goes to bed. If he wants a Band-Aid for a mosquito bite, I'll allow him that. He's going to spend a long time in a harsh world.

Every bump and bruise, every ache, and every extra flutter of my heart (I get anxious fairly easily) seems to merit a text to my oncologist, who luckily always responds and calms me down. But am I right to over-worry about my health after under-worrying and getting such a scary diagnosis?