Why an abusive person can seem calm right after harming you

1. Their stress system just discharged Before the outburst, their brain is often in a high-alert state: threat sensitivity (amygdala firing) rising tension internal pressure When they lash out (verbally, emotionally, or physically), it can act like a release valve. So their body goes from:high stress → discharge → relief That relief can look like: sudden… Read More Why an abusive person can seem calm right after harming you

How certain brain systems work together 

From a neuroscience perspective, the difference is often not that one person has a “bad brain” and another has a “good brain.”It is more about how certain brain systems work together — especially the systems for: empathy emotional regulation fear/anger response conscience impulse control 1. The brain of someone who may become abusive Research shows some abusive… Read More How certain brain systems work together 

Does Meanness Run in Families? Understanding Patterns That Seem to Pass Down Generations

“Meanness is often a deep, enduring pattern. You can’t cure it with more giving, more patience, or more self-sacrifice.” That truth leads to an important question: Does meanness run in families? The answer is not simple — but patterns absolutely can repeat across generations. It’s Not Just Personality — It’s Learned Behaviour Children don’t just… Read More Does Meanness Run in Families? Understanding Patterns That Seem to Pass Down Generations

When People Take Advantage: The Psychology of Entitlement and Lack of Integrity

Most people understand fairness. They understand balance — giving, taking, contributing, respecting others. But there are some individuals who operate very differently. They show up when something is free.They are present when someone else is paying.They benefit where they can — regardless of relationships, values, or integrity. And often, they will align themselves with people… Read More When People Take Advantage: The Psychology of Entitlement and Lack of Integrity

“What Was It Like Living in France?”

A Slightly Honest… Slightly Dramatic Answer People often ask me: “What was it like living in France?” And without missing a beat, I usually reply: “Like solitary confinement… for 16 years.” Now, I know that sounds completely absurd. A bit dramatic.Possibly questionable.Definitely not something you’d expect someone to say about living in France. But honestly?… Read More “What Was It Like Living in France?”

When an Adult Child Says “My Father Ruined My Childhood”: Understanding Pain, Anger, and What Families Can Do Next

Hearing an adult child say that a parent “ruined their childhood through abusive behaviour” is one of the most emotionally charged moments a family can face. It is not a casual statement. It usually carries years — sometimes decades — of stored pain, unresolved memory, and emotional injury that has never been fully processed. For… Read More When an Adult Child Says “My Father Ruined My Childhood”: Understanding Pain, Anger, and What Families Can Do Next

When Childhood Hurt Turns Into Lifelong Anger: Revenge, Family Trauma, and How Healing Can Begin

When children grow up in abusive homes — witnessing violence, emotional cruelty, control, or fear — it leaves deep emotional imprints. These experiences do not simply disappear with age. They shape how a person sees themselves, others, and the world. For some, this pain transforms into sadness or withdrawal. But for others, it becomes something… Read More When Childhood Hurt Turns Into Lifelong Anger: Revenge, Family Trauma, and How Healing Can Begin

When Revenge Becomes a Lifelong Pattern: Understanding Decades of Retaliation in Families and How to Break the Cycle

In some families, conflict does not resolve — it accumulates. What begins as hurt or misunderstanding can, over time, evolve into something far more entrenched: a mindset built around revenge, punishment, and regaining control. Instead of healing, the emotional injury is repeatedly revisited, reinforced, and passed through generations. When this happens over decades, it stops… Read More When Revenge Becomes a Lifelong Pattern: Understanding Decades of Retaliation in Families and How to Break the Cycle