Undoubtedly, there will be a number of offenses taken to the headline of this article. Why would breakdowns be encouraged? How could having a breakdown be a good thing? Who would actually want to have a breakdown? If someone had a breakdown why would they be happy they did? Wouldn’t a breakdown really set theRead More
Loud noises, drunken celebrations, fireworks, screams and shouts- for someone who is recovering from trauma New Year’s Eve can be a difficult celebration. Difficulty responding to loud noises is common for people who have experienced trauma. Veterans of war, especially, have difficulty during holiday celebrations that include fireworks and loud noises. Research into trauma hasRead More
In treatment for recovery from trauma, addictions, and related mental health issues, we learn about goal setting. Our experience in treatment teaches us that goals have to be set tangibly, realistically, and with metrics. We also learn that ‘resolutions’ are not as impactful as lifestyle changes, forming new habits, or creating new routines. Rather thanRead More
Riverdale is the runaway hit series by the CW, bringing a lesser known series of the Archie comics to life. The bright and pop worthy nature of the original Archie comics is replaced with a nearly film noir, dark and much more complex story line that includes the mystery and trauma of murder. In the firstRead More
Martin Luther King Jr. once said that “Forgiveness is not an occasional act. It is a permanent attitude.” Making way for forgiveness is considered to be a hallmark of recovery. Search for the word “forgiveness” in the “Big Book”, Alcoholics Anonymous and you will find little to no mention of it. Those who adhere toRead More
Life in recovery from trauma, addiction, or a related mental health issue, has its ups and downs. Though we rarely like to admit it, there are many mornings we wake up and our first thought upon opening our eyes is something like “Oh, no.” Few optimistic and energetic mornings exist when we are living withRead More
The brain is a magnificent and complex machine. In the face of trauma or horror, the brain has a unique ability to shut itself down. At a moment where the reality of life is too much to comprehend and make sense of the, the brain compartmentalizes and freezes. This may sound like avoidance but itRead More
Narcissist and narcissism are buzzwords that have taken off since 2016. Bringing the discussion of mental health to light, the conversation around narcissism has been controversial because those who are living with narcissistic personality disorder are often controversial themselves. The characteristics of someone with narcissism are difficult to develop compassion for. Often, people with narcissisticRead More
Parenting was once considered something we simply had to endure. Dysfunctional parenting wasn’t considered a problem until there was a physical altercation. Just as psychological professionals increasingly realized that trauma and PTSD were not exclusive to war veterans, there has been a realization that not all abuse is physical. Brain imaging studies have found thatRead More
Starting the day with gratitude can set the tone for the rest of the day while creating a foundation of mindfulness. Be grateful you’ve woken up: Waking up is never a guarantee. While that may seem morbid and pessimistic, it is also realistic. Everyday we wake up and have an opportunity to live a wholeRead More