Category: LINDA C J TURNER – Trauma Therapist

The Body Reflects the Nervous System

When someone shifts from hunched and shuffling to upright and puffed-chest, it’s not just posture changing — it’s a neurobiological and psychological state shift. Let’s unpack this step by step 👇 🧠 1. The Body Reflects the Nervous System A hunched, shuffling posture signals parasympathetic dominance, especially the dorsal vagal state — associated with withdrawal, defeat, or shutdown.It’s the body saying: “I don’t feel… Read More The Body Reflects the Nervous System

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🧠 The Neuroscience of Defensive Dominance: How Fear Becomes Power Displays

1. The Trigger: Perceived Threat It all starts in the amygdala, the brain’s emotional alarm center.When you (or an animal) feel threatened — physically, socially, or emotionally — the amygdala fires, signaling danger. This can be: A physical threat (a rival animal or person) A social threat (embarrassment, rejection, loss of status) A psychological threat (feeling exposed or… Read More 🧠 The Neuroscience of Defensive Dominance: How Fear Becomes Power Displays

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🧠 Psychological Name: Defensive Posturing or Dominance Display

In psychology, the closest formal terms are: 1. Defensive Posturing A nonverbal defense mechanism — the body adopts a posture that projects strength or control to protect the self from perceived threat or vulnerability.It’s rooted in the fight-or-flight response, where “fight” often looks like making oneself appear larger (both in humans and animals). In people, this can look like: Chest out, chin up… Read More 🧠 Psychological Name: Defensive Posturing or Dominance Display

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The Neuroscience of Authenticity: Why Bullshitting a Psychologist Doesn’t Work

When someone tries to create a false impression—through charm, exaggeration, or rehearsed emotion—it might fool the average observer. But psychologists and trained clinicians are rarely deceived for long. Their training and intuition are grounded in an understanding of neural, emotional, and behavioral cues that reveal when something doesn’t add up. 1. The Brain and Authentic Emotion Authenticity… Read More The Neuroscience of Authenticity: Why Bullshitting a Psychologist Doesn’t Work

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Lack of Maturity

Walking out or leaving abruptly when you say no to sex — is extremely telling. It’s not about passion or hurt feelings. It’s about control, entitlement, and emotional immaturity. Let’s unpack what’s happening in their brain and psychology, and then go through what you can do to protect yourself. 🧠 Neuroscience + Psychology Behind “Walking Out” 1. Reward Rejection and Ego… Read More Lack of Maturity

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Protect your own nervous system.

This is where the real power lies: understanding the behavior is one thing, but learning how to stay emotionally safe and respond wisely is the next level. Here’s a breakdown of how to protect yourself and respond effectively when a man sulks, withdraws, or acts passive-aggressive after not getting sex — through the lenses of psychology, attachment theory, and emotional regulation. ❤️‍🩹 1. Ground… Read More Protect your own nervous system.

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Reward System and Dopamine

By Linda C J Turner, Therapist & Advocate — Linda C J Turner Trauma Therapist | Neuroscience & Emotional Intelligence Practitioner | Advocate for Women’s Empowerment

When men sulk, withdraw, or act passive-aggressive after being denied sex, it’s not just “immaturity.” There are real psychological and neurological mechanisms behind that behavior — though none of them justify it. Let’s break it down from both neuroscience and psychology perspectives. 🧠 Neuroscience: What’s Happening in the Brain 1. Reward System and Dopamine Sex activates the mesolimbic reward pathway,… Read More Reward System and Dopamine

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🧠 The Neuroscience of Smiling: Voluntary vs. Involuntary Muscles

Smiles are not just facial expressions; they are deeply rooted in our brain’s emotional circuitry. According to research by Paul Ekman, there are two primary types of smiles: Duchenne Smile (Genuine Smile): This smile engages both the zygomaticus major muscle (which lifts the corners of the mouth) and the orbicularis oculi muscle (which causes the eyes… Read More 🧠 The Neuroscience of Smiling: Voluntary vs. Involuntary Muscles

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Truth-telling activates reward circuits

By Linda C J Turner, Therapist & Advocate — Linda C J Turner Trauma Therapist | Neuroscience & Emotional Intelligence Practitioner | Advocate for Women’s Empowerment ©Linda C J Turner

🔑 Legend 🟢 Calm / low activity → truth-aligned 🔴 High activity / stress → lying 🌟 Reward → truth-telling feels satisfying 🟠 Reduced reward → lying feels empty Takeaway:Truth-telling activates reward circuits, keeps your fear center calm, and minimizes internal conflict. Lying overloads multiple brain areas — your prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and conflict monitor —… Read More Truth-telling activates reward circuits

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🧠 1. Lies Are Cognitively Expensive

By Linda C J Turner, Therapist & Advocate — Linda C J Turner Trauma Therapist | Neuroscience & Emotional Intelligence Practitioner | Advocate for Women’s Empowerment ©Linda C J Turner

This is one of my favorite topics because it shows just how deeply our brains are wired for truth. Here’s a breakdown of the neuroscience behind why truth-telling feels lighter and more resilient than defending a lie: 🧠 1. Lies Are Cognitively Expensive Fabricating a story requires your prefrontal cortex to create and maintain a consistent false narrative. You… Read More 🧠 1. Lies Are Cognitively Expensive

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