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...
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...