Well That F*cked Me Up!

Last week I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Luke Colson for his phenomenal podcast “Well That F*cked Me Up!” Luke and his colleague Kyle Wise interview people who have experienced life-changing events. The podcast is full of remarkable stores of survival from severe traumatic events. Give their podcast a listen, if you are…

The Difficulty of Trauma Anniversaries

Anniversaries usually bring us lots of joy because they help us remember something wonderful that happened in the past. Weddings, relationships, and even moving into a new house are all things celebrated with an anniversary. Unlike regular anniversaries, trauma anniversaries can be extremely difficult. Instead of helping commemorate a past event that brought you joy,…

How Mental Trauma Can Lead to Physical Exhaustion

Mental health is very three-dimensional. Many see it as solely in the mind and isolated to that part of our body. In truth, our mental state affects our overall well-being. Things like mental trauma often manifest in physical ways as well. It’s not an uncommon sight to see someone who has gone through some trauma…

Navigating the Holidays with PTSD

The holidays are a wonderful time of the year. They involve much-needed time off from work, family, and celebrations like Christmas, Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa, Krampusnacht, and Hanukkah. They also represent the end of a year and closing another chapter of our lives. Most of the time, we associate the holidays with joy and happiness. Traditional…

Love Isn’t All You Need (Here’s Why)

We’ve all heard the phrase “love conquers all.” It comes from the widely-held belief that only love is necessary for a healthy, happy relationship. Of course, the quote is partially correct. Individuals surrounded by love often lead better and happier lives, and love is important in relationships, especially romantic ones. Is love all you need,…

How to Handle Intrusive Thoughts

Intrusive thoughts are unwelcome ideas, images, or impulses that enter your mind unexpectedly. They come out of nowhere and can be disturbing, violent, and highly distressing. They may be about something terrible or violent, sexual or profane, or even self-harming. Intrusive thoughts can feel like a betrayal of what we value most in life: our…

Dealing with PTSD in Relationships

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, can be hard to deal with in a relationship. It can be stressful at any time, but the closeness and vulnerability that come with being in a relationship can add to that. It can also cause issues with trust, closeness, and communication. This is especially true if your PTSD is…

How To Deal With Abusive Family During the Holidays

For most people, holidays like Christmas, thanksgiving, and new years are a source of joy. They include festive traditions, gifts, and time off work to relax. Holidays can also be a time for family. Many people don’t get to see their family year-round. Holidays are a convenient time to gather. People travel to see and…

PTSD from the Covid Pandemic

After dodging it for 2.5 years, I contracted Covid while traveling abroad. Since I live with C-PTSD, I wrote this article before I got sick because I saw the effects of it, both on individuals and globally. After having it, I can also speak to the shame and guilt one can feel from catching it,…

Love Bombing & Oxytocin Addiction

Love bombing is a term widely used within the context of a romantic relationship. It’s essentially a form of manipulation that attempts to artificially create intimacy. When someone love bombs you, it means they lavish you with intense affection, attention, and praise in an attempt to win your trust and affection early in the relationship….