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...
Echoes in the Rain: You Can Only Get As Wet As Your Skin
A grey day, followed by a dark night. There was no sunshine here. It was like the sun forgot to extend its rays to this damp place. It was always gloomy and unwelcoming. Nobody smiled and said “hey.” I wish I had known about this place, but in my haste to run away, I...
The Hidden Legacy of Relational Trauma: Breaking Free from Codependency and Complex PTSD
I have often been asked why I am an outspoken writer, willing to tackle thorny and difficult issues well beyond my usual scope of mystical interest. In an era of stifling correctness that governs much of the media, it would be career-savvy to “stay in my lane.” So why...
The Penn State Survey–Wow, 319, Really? Hold My Beer!
On October 15th, 2025, researchers at Penn State posted a survey about CPTSD and ACES scores. They wanted 3,000 respondents to the survey. I’m wondering how long it took them to get the full 3,000?* *(Yes, yes I’m exaggerating, a bit at least. But it is...
There is Life After Hidden Abuse
Writer’s Note: I previously wrote about my experience being a victim of psychological abuse. Two years from my first writing, I find myself in a much better place in my recovery, and I want to share new insights. I also want to recommend a book by Shannon Thomas that...
The Confusing Complexity of Religious Abuse
Trigger Warning: This post discusses religious trauma and spiritual abuse. Please prioritize your well-being while reading Reading about Complex-PTSD leaves me with two distinct impressions: (1) I definitely have CPTSD, and (2) I barely relate to any of the examples....
“What’s Wrong With You?”: A Ridiculous Question
“What’s wrong with you?” she asks the person in the mirror. This echo reverberates within her head as a chorus of voices. Her mother’s voice mingles with her own, changing in tone and pitch throughout her four decades of life, yet always asking the same...