Their disdain or fear of LGBTQ+ individuals often stems from ignorance, deeply ingrained prejudices, or discomfort with diversity.
They may use slurs, make inappropriate jokes, or actively discriminate against LGBTQ+ people, showing a lack of empathy and understanding.… Read More The Mean-Spirited Mindset: Understanding and Navigating Cruelty, Homophobia, and Misery
Increased Emotional Distance
Hiding a mental health condition often means avoiding honest conversations, concealing emotions, or covering up behaviors. This secrecy can lead to an emotional barrier between you and your partner, which may make it difficult for you to connect authentically. Partners may sense something is off, even if they’re unsure what it is, and this can create a sense of distrust or confusion.… Read More Disclosure
Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) is a complex and challenging mental health condition that falls under the broader category of personality disorders. People with ASPD often show persistent patterns of disregarding or violating the rights of others, typically starting in adolescence or early adulthood. It’s worth noting that although “antisocial” might sound like someone who avoids social interaction, in this context, it refers to behavior that is actively harmful or exploitative to others.… Read More Core Symptoms and Characteristics of ASPD
When we haven’t laughed in a long time, life can start to feel a bit heavier, like there’s an invisible weight that we’re carrying. Days pass in routine; responsibilities pile up, and even when there’s a break, the habit of guardedness or seriousness can stay with us. It’s easy to feel like laughter is an indulgence we have to earn or that it requires some perfect, carefree setting to make it happen. But really, laughter is a natural release and a reminder of our own humanity and resilience.
The absence of laughter isn’t always a sign that something is deeply wrong. Life simply gets serious, sometimes because of responsibilities, heartbreak, or just the natural ebb and flow of our moods. But when we go too long without it, we might forget just how healing and rejuvenating it is to laugh—to really, unapologetically laugh. Laughter serves as a reminder that joy isn’t reserved for a select few moments; it’s there, waiting for us, in unexpected places.… Read More Inviting Laughter Back into Your Life
In cases of abuse or cruelty, the amygdala becomes highly active as it perceives a real and repeated danger. It releases stress hormones (like cortisol) to prepare us for a “fight, flight, or freeze” response. If someone we once loved becomes a source of pain or threat, our brain’s survival mechanisms kick in, aiming to protect us from that person by associating them with negative emotions instead. This reprogramming is essentially a survival adaptation.… Read More The transition from love to hate after abuse
Focusing on Wealth, Not Well-Being: When a family’s priority is wealth, members may feel their role is simply to “wait it out” rather than actively care for the relative in need. This leads to a stark detachment where elderly members are seen as sources of eventual inheritance rather than as family members deserving of time, empathy, or care.
Eroding Trust and Relationship Quality: When elderly relatives sense this detachment, trust within the family erodes. The elderly family member may feel that love is conditional or that they’re valuable only when they’re a source of wealth, not as a person with needs, feelings, and a lifetime of memories to share.… Read More “not my responsibility”
When untreated psychosis progresses, the person’s perception of reality becomes increasingly distorted. This might lead them to believe in scenarios that justify unusual or erratic behavior, like public outbursts or even aggressive actions if they believe they are threatened. For instance, someone experiencing paranoid delusions might act in self-defense to protect against a perceived threat, which may be completely benign. Such incidents can lead to charges for public disturbance, assault, or resisting arrest, especially if authorities are unaware of the individual’s mental health condition at the time of the incident.… Read More Untreated psychosis
Taking action against people who use violence and manipulation is a courageous and sometimes difficult path. Seeking justice or asserting your truth can be a daunting road, but your resolve to hold them accountable is a powerful message—to yourself and to others—that this behavior won’t stand.… Read More Evidence
People who behave this way might also be struggling with low self-worth or a fear of abandonment. By creating drama, they keep people engaged, even if it’s through negative attention. It’s like they’re trying to control the narrative of their relationships, keeping others off balance so they don’t have to face their own emotions or admit their mistakes. It’s a way of avoiding vulnerability and protecting themselves from being hurt.
It’s tough to be around someone like this, especially when you’re watching the impact it has on the rest of the family. The stories they invent, the way they twist situations, and their ability to pretend they’re the victim can leave everyone else feeling confused, hurt, and sometimes even questioning their own reality. The challenge is that confronting this person can often make things worse, as they might become defensive, blame others, or escalate the situation even further.… Read More Self Sabotage
Constantly being in a position of emotional support for someone who is struggling with their mental health can lead to caregiver burnout. The partner might find themselves always “on” — monitoring their loved one’s mood, managing their emotional crises, and trying to hold things together at home. This level of vigilance and emotional labor can be exhausting, both mentally and physically.
The pressure to always be strong and to constantly put their own needs on hold can lead to anxiety, sleep problems, and even physical health issues. The stress of dealing with unpredictability can weaken their immune system, contribute to chronic fatigue, and cause other stress-related health conditions. Partners of those with mental health struggles often find themselves taking on the role of a caretaker rather than a partner. This role reversal can create an imbalance in the relationship, where they are more of a parent or therapist than an equal partner. This dynamic can be exhausting and unhealthy over the long term because it prevents the partner from expressing their own needs, vulnerabilities, and emotions.
The burden of always being the strong one in the relationship can lead to resentment, especially if they feel like they have no one to lean on when they’re going through their own challenges. This emotional weight can become too heavy to bear, leading to a sense of being overwhelmed.… Read More Emotional Rollercoaster
Linda C J Turner | Trauma Therapist & Emotional Healing Specialist 