Columbus, OH

Originally confined to physical injuries, the concept of "trauma" expanded as psychology advanced. Mental health professionals recognized that distressing events could inflict profound emotional wounds and operational injuries beyond just catastrophic situations like disasters and violence. It became clear that any experience threatening one's stability, not just extreme cases, could cause deep psychological and physiological harm—reactions previously misunderstood as personal weakness instead of natural responses to threat. This paradigm shift destigmatized trauma's effects and helped us understand better what it takes to help people heal.

5 Myths About Healing From Trauma

As I recover from my recent surgery, I continue to experience periodic pain in my abdomen where the surgical incisions were made. The pain is not coming from the incisions, but seems to be coming from deep within my belly. Less than a week after the surgery, I was doing well, managing my post-op pain only with Tylenol, when the pain suddenly became intolerable, and I went to the emergency room. They did a CT scan of my stomach and couldn’t find anything. I saw the surgeon a couple of days later and he also had no explanation. The pain has decreased some and I manage it with Toradol which doesn’t make me drowsy. I wonder how long it’s going to last, and if it is me somatizing—or if the doctors somehow missing something?

Borderline Personality Disorder and the Pain Paradox

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12 Phrases Psychologists Are Begging Parents and Grandparents to Stop Saying to a Youngest Child

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Total Apex Sports & Entertainment

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are two of the biggest celebrities in modern times. While much of the happenings between the two involved their marriage and divorce, there are bigger things for them to focus on. Most notably their children.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s Son Diagnosed With Rare Skin Condition

Trauma's impact varies; what may traumatize one person might not affect another. Trauma can be determined by bodily responses, not just the nature of the event. Understanding the nature of one's trauma aids them in seeking appropriate support and therapy. In my 13 years as a therapist, I’ve heard iterations...

What Is Trauma and Does My Experience Count?

Trauma can negatively impact a person’s ability to discern between actual threat versus hypervigilance. An unpredictable environment may become a precursor to “people-pleasing” behavior. An established pattern of people-pleasing often generalizes to their romantic relationships. Trauma can negatively impact a person’s ability to cope and to discern...

Hypervigilance Around Other People’s Emotions and Needs

An Australian team used taste aversion to teach freshwater crocodiles to avoid toxic, invasive cane toads. Crocodiles developed aversions after encounters with cane toad baits designed to induce nausea but not kill. Crocodiles generalized this aversion to live, wild cane toads, and crocodile mortality was greatly reduced. Behavioral interventions targeting...

A Surprising Way to Fight Invasive Species

It's important for parents to know how to manage their own anxiety before tackling it in their kids. Be curious and create an opportunity for your child to talk about their feelings. Validate your child's emotions and collaborate with them on ways to cope. Back-to-school time can stimulate anxiety in...

How to Handle Back-to-School Anxiety

Survivors of parental abandonment or abuse often have unfair blame placed on them by their parents. An increased sense of self blame, coupled with self-doubt, creates the perfect recipe for victim blaming. Promoting empathy and awareness about the complexities of parental abandonment can help combat victim blaming. Bridget sat at...

4 Steps for Trauma Survivors to Decrease Self-Blame

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The phrase “I love you” carries an extraordinary weight, evoking a myriad of emotions that can transform relationships, lives and even self-perceptions. These three simple words — when spoken with sincerity — can stir deep, often complex feelings that resonate with both the speaker and the listener. Whether whispered in the quiet moments of intimacy or declared boldly in public, the impact of saying “I love you” transcends the mere act of communication, delving into the core of the human experience. In this article, we explore seven powerful emotions associated with the words “I love you,” uncovering the profound effects they have on our hearts and minds.

7 powerful emotions associated with the words I love you

Emotional deprivation is an extreme absence of emotional connection from a parent, often accompanied by abuse. In contrast, emotional neglect is a shortage of emotional connection. It often happens in non-abusive homes. Each of these childhood experiences does harm to the child. That harm can last a lifetime or can...

Emotional Deprivation or Neglect? How to Tell the Difference

Traumatic childhood shame can surface later in life, especially in situations that recall the original shame. Shame caused by bullying or abuse, divorce, or neglect can trigger reactions that can affect relationships. Breaking through shame in therapy is liberating and can help improve couple and family relationships. Shame is one...

The Persistence of Traumatic Childhood Shame

When relationships end, always ask yourself whether you actually ended up dodging a bullet in the process. How a person ends a relationships may reveal their true nature. Rather than dwelling on what went wrong, instead turn to what went right: You got right out of there. Yes, break-ups of...

3 Words to Help You Get Over a Relationship Break-Up

It's easy to fall into habits that, without intention, can hurt the person you love. Invalidating your partner's feelings is a common yet damaging way to be a jerk in a relationship. You can transform your relationship dynamics by making small, thoughtful changes. We all want to believe we’re good...

3 Ways You May Be Acting Like a Jerk to Your Partner

Los Angeles County, CA

Herbie J Pilato

[Note: Unless otherwise indicated, the commentary and quotes in this article are from the author's interview with those mentioned.]. Elizabeth Montgomery was one of the most popular actors from the 1950s to her unfortunate passing from cancer in 1995. Before, during, and after her benchmark Emmy-nominated role as twitch-witch Samantha Stephens on TV's Bewitched (ABC, 1964-1972), Montgomery made over 200 additional appearances in other weekly shows, TV-movies, and feature films.

'Bewitched' Star Elizabeth Montgomery Received Death Threats for Protesting the Vietnam War

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Dontae

Recently, Japan has seen a noticeable increase in the number of people choosing to live alone. This phenomenon, known in Japan as hikikomori or hikki, involves people withdrawing from social interactions for six months or longer. According to statistics, the number of hikikomori in Japan has reached approximately two million, with 10% of the population in large cities living as hermits.

Why Japanese People Choose to Live a Life of Solitude and Reclusion

The term "gaslighting" is now so widely used that it is at risk of losing meaning. Recent efforts to define "gaslighting" distort and constrain its use. Gaslighting is not always intentional and does not necessarily involve falsehood. The term "gaslighting" originated in 1938, but it was not until about 2010...

Is the Term "Gaslighting" in Trouble?

Realizing the tremendous toll caring for both my parents over the past decade had taken on me, I knew I had to take self-care steps as I managed my grief after my mom's death. I do not have a good track record with grief. After my only sibling died of...

A Mixture of Grief and Relief

The scarcity effect increases our yearning for those who are emotionally or physically unavailable. Evolutionary roots link romantic rejection to a primal fear of social exclusion and survival threats. Cultural narratives often glorify unrequited love, misleading us into pursuing the unattainable. Redefining self-worth independently of relationships is key to breaking...

Why We Crave Unrequited Love: The Allure of the Unavailable

Plus, tips for dealing with them more effectively.

7 Phrases to Never, Ever Use With Someone Who's Emotionally Immature, According to Psychologists

NewsBreak

What a Trauma Memory From 16 Years Ago Taught Me

There is no timeline for memory recovery. We can meet those memories with curiosity and radical acceptance. Give yourself support, understanding, and grace. I've never really...

What a Trauma Memory From 16 Years Ago Taught Me

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