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Understanding People Is Easy

Psychiatrist Shares Insights

by Michael David McGuire

I first met Dr. Guido Boriosi when he came to New York to talk about his new book, "Understanding People." I had invited him to join me for lunch at a little Thai place a couple of blocks up Ninth Avenue from my Hell's Kitchen office. The first thing that struck me about him was his high energy and zest for life. "I got that from my parents," Boriosi explained, as he shared with me his early life story growing up in the tough coal country of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the son of Italian immigrants. "My father had very little formal education," Boriosi explained, "but he was one of the most 'people smart' guys I ever knew." Boriosi also talked about the importance of unconditional love… which he received from his parents and which he credits as one of the major blessings in his life. "In looking back," Boriosi said, "we didn't have much, but we didn't know we didn't have much because we had each other and that foundation of unconditional love." Boriosi's eyes twinkle as he tells stories about his adventures through life.

As we wait for service at the restaurant, Boriosi explains that a scene in a movie one summer day in 1946 set his sights on psychiatry. "I was 13 years old and I knew right then what I wanted to do when I grew up. When I first told my parents they were supportive… although I am sure they didn't really know anything about psychiatry, which was pretty much the case with everyone back then." Denied a spot in medical school, which Boriosi in part attributes to lingering anti-immigrant sentiment, he set out to continue his studies and build his financial resources by working a variety of jobs that ran the gambit from delivering fresh bread (being partly paid in loaves) to hauling trash on a garbage route… to eventually being the Chief of Radiation Protection for the State of Pennsylvania (not to mention an intervening two years in the US Army infantry, stationed in Ulm, German). As he saved his money and held onto his dream of becoming a psychiatrist, each job put the young Boriosi in touch with a wide variety of people, which proved invaluable in building insights into how people see themselves and interact with others.

In 1961, at the ripe old age of 28, Boriosi finally got a shot at medical school in Philadelphia, receiving his MD in 1965… and has been practicing non-stop ever since. "I don't see my job as work. I look forward to getting into the office everyday… and enjoy the interaction helping people reach their full potential." Past the point where many would have retired to Florida or the golf course, Boriosi maintains a full schedule and travels extensively talking about psychiatry and his work. Boriosi's book… which comes across as straight talk from a smart and insightful friend… is positioned to help take what some might consider complex psychiatric concepts and distills them into very easy-to-understand language. The book is also positioned to help any layman be able to distinguish the normal travails of life from those situations where professional intervention and drug therapy for one's self or a loved one might be an important option.

"We are all only human… none of us perfect," which I realized was one of the key points in Boriosi's book. "The sooner we acknowledge our humanity and imperfections... the faster we, as individuals, reach our full potential. I have dedicated my life to helping others come to that understanding… and I wanted to reach even more people, which is why I wrote the book."

The Thai food was not the best in Manhattan, but the conversation over lunch was exciting and world class. I asked Boriosi how he managed to stay so positive… and energetic… in the face of his long private practice days. Doesn't listening to people's problems take its toll? Boriosi laughed a quick answer. "No," he said. "You see, each person's problem is important to them. Most often it is something pretty common… but that is not the point. That particular problem… to that specific person at that moment in time… no matter what it is… is very important to them. And it gives me great joy to help walk them through the process of figuring it out for themselves."

As I signed the AMEX tab for lunch I asked Boriosi what was his personal key to staying so upbeat, positive and energetic. "Make each new day an adventure," he said, "and make it a point to learn something new. God has given us all a great adventure… and live it to the fullest."

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Dr. Guido Boriosi's new book is "Understanding People - An Easy and Straightforward Primer." Michael David McGuire is a freelance writer based in New York covering health and wellness issues.