Anxiety is a complex and multifaceted emotional experience that is a normal part of the human condition. It can manifest in various forms and degrees, ranging from occasional worry to more intense and persistent feelings of fear and apprehension.
When life feels overwhelming or our thoughts seem to run the show, it’s easy to believe that change is impossible. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps us see that our thoughts are not facts — they’re patterns shaped by experiences, emotions, and the stories we tell ourselves. The good news? Patterns can be rewired. Understanding the CBT Approach… Read More How CBT Can Help You Heal and Reframe Your Mind
Let’s go deeper into the misattribution of arousal, its neuroscience, and how cortisol and emotional conditioning turn that initial thrill or anxiety into a powerful — and often dangerous — attachment loop. This is one of the most fascinating (and disturbing) examples of how biology can be hijacked by emotional manipulation. 🧠 1. The Original “Suspension Bridge” Study… Read More The Original “Suspension Bridge” Study (Dutton & Aron, 1974)
The human brain constantly scans the environment for safety using the amygdala and autonomic nervous system.In a calm environment, the ventral vagal system (social engagement pathway) keeps you grounded and relaxed. But in crowds — with loud sounds, unpredictable movements, and strangers — your brain interprets this as sensory overload or even potential threat.This triggers: You may feel your heart race, your muscles… Read More 🧠 1. The Neuroscience Behind Discomfort in Crowds
Why “Everyone Lies” Should Never Be an Excuse When someone says, “Everyone lies,” they’re not describing human imperfection — they’re normalizing deception.It’s a quiet way of lowering the bar for integrity, and it signals that truth will not be the shared language of the relationship. 1. The Psychology of Trust Trust is built on predictability and transparency.When partners are… Read More 💡 The Importance of Honesty in a Relationship
The Neuroscience and Psychology of Life After Control There comes a moment when survival is no longer enough.When you stop asking “How do I get through this?” and begin asking“What do I want my life to look like now?” That question is both terrifying and liberating — because for the first time in years, the answer belongs… Read More 🌿 Rebuilding the Self:
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 © 2025 Linda Carol Turner. Content protected by copyright.Reproduction or redistribution in any form requires prior written permission from the author.When quoting or referencing, please cite:… Read More The Quiet Alchemy
When someone says “Let’s stay friends” and then disappears, it can feel like a quiet kind of heartbreak — confusing, painful, and strangely unfinished.You’re left wondering: Did they mean it? Did I do something wrong? Why does this feel worse than a clean break?Neuroscience and psychology give us powerful answers. 🧠 Your Brain Craves Predictability The human brain is… Read More The Neuroscience of Mixed Signals: Why “Let’s Stay Friends” Hurts More Than Goodbye
Summary When a person is suicidal, pressuring, threatening, shaming, or isolating them to get compliance is not only cruel — it is a form of coercive control that dramatically increases risk of self-harm and suicide. This behaviour exploits vulnerability, amplifies fear and hopelessness, and may be criminal in many jurisdictions. (See legal guidance and evidence… Read More Putting someone under excessive pressure when they are suicidal — coercive control as a weapon
By Linda Carol When a relationship ends, it should bring space for calm. But for many survivors of coercive or emotionally abusive marriages, separation is not peace — it’s the beginning of a new battle for psychological freedom. Threats, intimidation, and manipulative contact often intensify just as the survivor tries to disconnect. Neuroscience helps us understand… Read More The Neuroscience of Coercive Control in Divorce: How Threats Hijack the Brain and How to Break Free
The term comes from Daniel Goleman (author of Emotional Intelligence) and refers to moments when the limbic system — the emotional center of the brain — overrides the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for logic, reasoning, and self-control. In simpler terms: The emotional brain takes the driver’s seat, while the rational brain gets locked in the trunk. 🧩 The Brain Areas… Read More 🧠 What “Limbic Hijacking” Really Means
