Most of us seek comfort and reward over pain and punishment. When our mood has been anxious or depressed for too long, our body begins to feel inflammation and exhaustion. For some of you, your mood might lead you to struggle to sleep or take care of yourself. Part of taking care of yourself is … Read more
If you’re dating a narcissist, you might be experiencing narcissistic abuse. Leaving an abusive relationship is far from easy, as abusers will do anything to maintain the power and control they need. Research shows it takes an average of seven attempts to leave an abusive relationship, and at times leaving a narcissist can seem impossible. … Read more
When the safety and well-being of ourselves or our loved ones are threatened, we go into survival mode. This may involve overwhelming feelings, dulled thoughts, adrenaline rushes, and rapid fight-flight reactions. Even when we have made it to safety, the sheer intensity of the traumatic situation may leave us struggling with the aftermath, triggering persistent … Read more
What is Shame? When Aaron was small, his mother would lock him in the closet to discipline him when he was loud. His father would come home and shout at his mother for doing this. Then, Aaron’s father would walk over to the closet and let him out. He would then say, “what did you … Read more
If you were to google types of loneliness, you might be surprised at how many lonely types there are. One loneliness researcher found eighty different types of loneliness. Loneliness can range from existential loneliness to physical loneliness. Any loneliness can lead to feeling unseen, unheard and unloved. Here are some of the types of loneliness … Read more
Childhood Trauma and Self-Care Childhood trauma is our reaction to deeply distressing experiences that overwhelm our physical and mental coping abilities as children. Traumatic experiences activate a fight or flight response. During these reactions, our brain directs our resources to enhance our immediate physical performance. It gives us the best chance at survival. After the … Read more