Attachment starts in the womb, so even for children relinquished at birth, this represents a significant trauma and attachment wound.1 Adoption can play a role in attachment issues, trauma, and behavioral issues that affect people from childhood into adulthood. There are about seven million adoptees living in the United States, and approximately 140,000 are adopted each year.2 While … Read more
Nightmare disorder (ND) is a sleep disorder in which a person consistently experiences ”frightening, vivid or disturbing dreams,” defined as nightmares, that suddenly wakes them.1 Most people have a nightmare every once in a while, but when nightmares occur regularly, it may be considered nightmare disorder. Nightmare disorder is considered a parasomnia, a type of sleep disorder … Read more
What is a psychotic break? A psychotic break occurs when a person loses touch with reality due to a decline in their mental well-being. It can signal an underlying medical condition or a reaction to a stressful or traumatic event. It’s also referred to as psychosis or a psychotic episode. Some research shows that 3 in … Read more
Joining a narcissistic abuse support group can be helpful if you have experienced narcissistic abuse from someone in your life. Such groups offer emotional support, empathy, and information that can help you understand what you’ve experienced. First things first: Abuse is never your fault. Every individual deserves the right to have a healthy, safe, and supportive relationship, … Read more
What Is Emotional Baggage? You may have heard the phrase “emotional baggage” and wondered what exactly it means. The term “emotional baggage” refers to unfinished emotional issues, stressors, pain, and difficulties we’ve experienced that continue to take up space in our minds and affect our present relationships, says Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD, a clinical psychologist, and professor … Read more
Traumatic events are scary, dangerous, or shocking experiences that affect us physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, or socially.1 Examples of traumatic events include natural disasters, wars, terrorist attacks, mass shootings, serious illnesses, car accidents, workplace accidents, rape, abuse, and other experiences that affect our sense of well-being.2 Trauma affects us in various ways. In the short term, it … Read more
For people who move to the US, no two experiences will be the same. However, many migrants and refugees face or have faced trauma, whether in their home country, while traveling, or after arriving in their host country. One study suggested that almost half (47%) of migrants experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)1, while another found that around one-third … Read more
Do you constantly feel as though you have no control over situations or that other people are out to get you? Or do you feel as though bad things keep happening to you no matter what you do? If you find yourself blaming other people for events or situations in your life, you may be … Read more
For victims of domestic violence—the physical attacks, emotional maltreatment, and other abuse endured are certain to take a toll on well-being. However, while the horrors of abuse are apparent in primary victims—children who witness the abuse of their mothers, fathers, or other family members, are impacted. This article will look into the lasting psychological and physical … Read more
The pain you feel after a sibling dies can be immense. Feeling grief or a huge sense of loss are natural responses to losing someone important in your life. Losing a brother or sister is especially challenging. This article will discuss why the loss of a sibling is different than other types of loss, how sibling loss … Read more