“Often with PTSD there is the traumatic event; perhaps someone was in the war or had a car accident,” she explained. “With Complex PTSD, it’s more when we see psychological abuse. It’s this accumulation over time of feeling threatened.” —My Courage to Tell …the symptoms of PTSD do not really seem to completely describe the […]
Set your boundaries! It’s okay to say no. —Laura Corbeth Holidays? Well, it’s not as easy as it looks for people who are dealing with dysfunctional family members. Here is a list* that helps many out at this time of year. You do not have to go to any holiday events that will hurt you […]
All children are born to grow, to develop, to live, to love, and to articulate their needs and feelings for their self-protection. —Alice Miller Child Neglect. It Hurts. Children Matter! “Would you like to go out for a bite?” I asked my husband. It had been a long week. I was tired. “If you like,” […]
Children of emotionally unreliable mothers who may appear caring one moment and then unavailable the next—leaving the child in a quandary about whether the Good Mommy or the Bad one will show up— also pull back at the first sign of discord. These children use withdrawal as a way of self-protection and grow up to […]
In troubled families, abuse and neglect are permitted; it’s the talking about them that is forbidden. —unknown Children’s Roles in Dysfunctional Families For some of you that are reading this who do not know me, I will start out by saying I am not a therapist or psychologist. What I am, is a researcher. I […]
Children who are emotionally abused and neglected face similar and sometimes worse mental health problems as children who are physically or sexually abused.
She wrote me that she felt terrorized. She travelled in the car – her bully was there. She ate at the kitchen table – her bully was there. This little five-year-old girl, Little Laura, told me that she had to walk to school with her bully. At school, her bully, with his predatory behaviour, was […]
Mental health outcomes are not good from being bullied in childhood. Studies now validate it.
Songs – No More Bullying! Music affects us. Deeply. And I thought it was important to post a few songs that can really help motivate and make us feel good. I will forget a few I’m sure. Let me tell you if you are reading this: You are worthy. You are loved. Do not let […]
The infant and child who perceives that his needs are unmet may develop an obsessive coping style, anxious about each detail. When such a person fears that he is unable to control events, he experiences great stress. —Dr. Gabor Maté Do You Feel Disconnected? I BELIEVE we are all connected. I believe we are connected […]
