Shrink Rap: Are You Addicted to Trading?

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Recognizing a Problem

Dr. Hendlin: From 1965 to 1985, I was a successful investor/trader. I was a trader of the monthly variety. In 1986 I got addicted to my own adrenaline daytrading OEX options. Since then I have just been an investor and occasionally (once every 3 months) making one 3- to 7-day trade. I would like to do more, but the adrenaline overpowers reason in short order. I have always assumed there is no real solution to stopping the adrenaline. True or false?

-- B.G.

Shrink Rap: For you, true. Most professional money managers and serious active traders are able to control their adrenaline flow so that it doesn't become the main motivator or reinforcer for frequent trading. As you have learned, you are not one of them. And it is not likely you ever will be. ...