Recently, Sen. John McCain said: "I think a lot of our problems today are psychological" when referring to the concerns Americans are experiencing in response to escalating gas prices and the mediocre economic forecast. As a licensed psychotherapist, I'm offering my opinion about the misuse of the word "psychological" by Mr. McCain and President Bush. The term psychological implies we are imagining it, making it up or, more directly, we're blowing things out of proportion.

What I know is: The reality in our lives is the price of a gallon of gas is over $5. People are scared and concerned about their own well-being. There is nothing psychological about that. It is reality. What I know is: The Federal Reserve chair and secretary of Treasury are concerned about the economic forecast. There's nothing in my head or yours about that reality. There is a body of proof that says this is reality. Our country is in economic trouble.

Mr. McCain and Mr. Bush are trying to put the onus back on the U.S. citizens by labelling our behavior that of "whiners." Reality is being manipulated again to confuse people from staying present to the facts. I am concerned about our country's well-being. I see the reality, it isn't in my head. Don't believe it is in your head either. It's at the gas station, the grocery store, the stock market and the unemployment office.

This article first appeared in the Santa Barbara News Press, July 24, 2008.