Have you noticed how people react differently to stressful situations? Some are calm and rational, whereas others are anxious and emotional. Intellectualization could explain the difference. What Is Intellectualization? Intellectualization is a defense mechanism whereby a person views a stressful situation intellectually. They deal with the stress using cold, hard…
Have you ever wondered why a child desperately craves love and attention from their abusive parent? Or perhaps you always seem to end up in toxic relationships? You may not have come across this term, but, these are signs of trauma bonding. What Is Trauma Bonding? Trauma bonding is a…
It’s time to stop blaming your parents for the problems in your life. Being an adult means owning responsibility for your adult decisions, and yes, your dysfunctions too. While there may be times when your mother and father let you down, at some point, you have to stop blaming your…
You know, many individuals find themselves feeling betrayed, whether it’s your family or a mate. But there are ways to overcome this hurt. I am familiar with betrayal, so much so that it no longer surprises me. That doesn't mean feeling like this should become a normal way of life.…
It’s not wrong to feel ashamed about something, but it is wrong to harbor toxic shame. How can we stop doing this? If you do something wrong, it’s perfectly normal to feel a little shame. But some of us struggle with the trap of unhealthy shame that always keeps us…
It’s not the sheltered individual that becomes the nicest person in adulthood. It’s the broken people who have the kindest hearts. Trauma, heartache, and pain can hold us back if we let them, but they can make us stronger too. These experiences that create damaged people can also create kind…
When you just cannot move forward in life, it could be that your unresolved emotional issues are weighing you down. So many of us carry emotional baggage from somewhere. It shows in the way we speak, our actions, and even our expressions. We can try to push and cram all…
Survivor’s guilt is when we live while others succumb to a traumatic or sudden death. This is never an easy pill to swallow. While I’ve never served in the military and I was hundreds of miles away from New York during the 9/11 events, I watched my aunt suddenly collapse…
Dealing with unresolved trauma isn’t as simple as trying to be more positive. This kind of trauma goes deep with its roots. I seem to always be talking about trauma, abuse or some other unresolved issues. By now, you’d think I’d been cured of all my problems, but I’m not.…
We have first responders for physical traumas or difficulties. Here's a secret: psychological first aid is also important during hard times. When trauma occurs, you hear the sirens. The ambulance, police and first responders are on the way. As humans, it’s our duty to try and help those who are…
