Ready, Not Reckless: Death Anxiety Through a Trauma Lens
Most people aren’t afraid of death. They’re afraid of dying—pain, loss of control, humiliation, and the slow stripping away of what makes them recognizable to themselves. Death is the black box. Dying is paperwork, machines, schedules, and other people’s permission....
12 Ways to Take Charge of Your Stress Levels: Easy Steps to Manage A less Stressful Life
What is stress? Stress can be defined as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Stress is a natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives....
When a Single Sip Keeps You Awake
I have never been a drinker. Most people assume that means I didn’t like the taste or that I grew up in a strict household. The truth is simpler and more human. I was adopted at birth and raised as an only child by two functioning alcoholics. Nothing about that...
How To Challenge Negative Thoughts: 5 Simple Ways to a more Positive Way of Thinking
Humans are busy, and our minds are constantly playing tag with knowledge and new inputs. We are bombarded with information overload every day, but sometimes we tune out the noise, and our minds go for a wander elsewhere. Those niggling negative thoughts can worm...
Using God for Control (The Subtlety of Neglect)
An Ideal, God-Loving Family Trigger Warning: This post discusses religious trauma and its impact on mental health. It may be distressing for readers who have experienced harm in religious or faith-based settings. Please read with care and prioritize your well-being....
Developmental Trauma – What is it? An explanation in six parts.
The Atmosphere of Developmental Trauma I froze. Even at four-years-old, I knew that danger lurked behind every corner. My home, a minefield of attack, never rested. Each day began as a slow burn, then turned into a pressure cooker until the explosion...
When the Past Returns: Trauma and Dementia
What Is Dementia? Dementia is not a single disease but rather an umbrella term for a decline in cognitive functioning severe enough to interfere with daily life. It may affect memory, language, reasoning, orientation, and emotional regulation. What is less often...
When the Body Keeps Score, but Blames the Mother
In the aftermath of childhood sexual abuse, a painful pattern often emerges: survivors direct blame toward nonoffending mothers. It sounds unfair because it often is. It also has a biological and developmental logic that does not care about fairness. Understanding...