Picture the following: Your local news station reports an armed robbery at a nearby bank. Anchors diligently depict how law enforcement officers arrived at the crime scene to seize the culprits—and later release them, issuing citations. Despite this outcome, an investigation was still completed. During the investigation, detectives carefully reviewed the bank’s security camera footage and … [Read more...] about Victim-blaming, villainization & Retraumatization
The Infantilization Tactic: Parent-Adult Child Codependency and Narcissistic Abuse Cues
‘Adulting’ can be exasperating—so much so that achieving autonomy and stability across the board seems nearly impossible at times. Adults who appear to ‘have it all together’ may witness other adults religiously rely on their parents for support and then grumble to themselves: “Cut the umbilical cord, already.” However, these ‘have it all together’ adults could benefit from considering that … [Read more...] about The Infantilization Tactic: Parent-Adult Child Codependency and Narcissistic Abuse Cues
Baiting, Hoovering, and Triangulation: Uncovering the Energy Gold Mine and Energy-Sucking Narcissists
Narcissism can be a malignant malady. A narcissist may present with overt or covert tactics, and there’s even a narcissism spectrum—ranging from healthy to pathological or full-blown Narcissistic Personality Disorder. The narcissism trait also has the capacity to consume anyone’s personality and spread like wildfire, reaching across sexual orientation, age, and other social identity facets. The … [Read more...] about Baiting, Hoovering, and Triangulation: Uncovering the Energy Gold Mine and Energy-Sucking Narcissists
Secret Lifesaver: The Freeze Response (Tonic Immobility) and Sexual Assault-related Trauma
We often hear pet owners—particularly dog lovers—attempt to train man’s best friend to: “Roll over and play dead!” On the surface, this behavioral conditioning session appears to be just for fun and games. The owner enjoys an opportunity to develop or maintain secure attachment with the pet, and the pet looks forward to a tasty treat after compliance. However, have you ever taken a moment to … [Read more...] about Secret Lifesaver: The Freeze Response (Tonic Immobility) and Sexual Assault-related Trauma
A Priceless Investment: Reversing Help-seeking Avoidance and Building ‘Mental Wealth’
When someone breaks an arm or leg, the first action that typically follows includes visiting the emergency room for triage and immobilization. When someone encounters mental fractures, swelling, and bruising such as depressive, panic, or even dissociative symptoms, they may be more likely to suffer in silence for various reasons—including stigma-related fear. However, suffering doesn’t have to be … [Read more...] about A Priceless Investment: Reversing Help-seeking Avoidance and Building ‘Mental Wealth’
Social Pain and the Brain: Coping with Rejection and Aiming for Posttraumatic Growth
When you’re cut, you bleed. When you experience cutoff, public ridicule, or rejection by colleagues, peers, or even your own flesh and blood…you bleed, losing copious units of the plasma-packed fluid that runs warm through your veins of socio-emotional wellness and fuels your longevity. As opposed to bleeding out and suffering, I challenge you to use your ‘trauma tourniquet’. You have the … [Read more...] about Social Pain and the Brain: Coping with Rejection and Aiming for Posttraumatic Growth