Tag: Psychology

Why some abusers claim mental illness as a defense

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

Abusers sometimes argue that their behavior was “out of their control” due to a psychiatric disorder. The reasons include: From a psychological perspective, this is often a form of rationalization — a defense mechanism where the brain justifies behavior to reduce guilt. In neuroscience terms, areas like the prefrontal cortex (responsible for judgment and impulse control) and amygdala (emotional processing)… Read More Why some abusers claim mental illness as a defense

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Impulse Control and Prefrontal Cortex Dysfunction

Understanding the mind of a sexual abuser from a neuroscience and psychological perspective is complex, because it involves biological, developmental, and social factors. While every individual is different, research does provide some insight into patterns of thought, brain functioning, and emotional regulation that are often observed in perpetrators. 1. Impulse Control and Prefrontal Cortex Dysfunction 2. Reward… Read More Impulse Control and Prefrontal Cortex Dysfunction

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Executive Functioning

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

Self-deception and habitual lying are closely linked to several specific cognitive functions in the brain. Neuroscience research shows that lying, rationalizing, and deceiving yourself are not random; they rely on distinct neural circuits and cognitive processes. Here’s a detailed breakdown: 1. Executive Functioning The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is central here. It governs planning, decision-making, impulse control, and self-monitoring—all components… Read More Executive Functioning

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Self-Deception: The Brain’s Protective Armor

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

The brain is wired to protect us—not just physically, but emotionally. When we engage in behaviors that conflict with our values, morals, or self-image, the resulting discomfort is called cognitive dissonance. This is your brain’s way of signaling: “Something isn’t aligned here. Pay attention.” But cognitive dissonance is unpleasant. It triggers stress responses—elevated cortisol, subtle anxiety,… Read More Self-Deception: The Brain’s Protective Armor

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🌌 Facing Loss and Impermanence: Psychology, Neuroscience, and Meaning

1. Existential Psychology Thinkers like Viktor Frankl and Irvin Yalom placed mortality at the center of psychological growth. Neuroscience link:When we avoid thinking about death, the brain activates the default mode network (mind-wandering, denial, self-protection). When we face mortality directly — through reflection, therapy, or even awe experiences — activity shifts toward networks linked with present-centered awareness and empathy (like the medial prefrontal cortex… Read More 🌌 Facing Loss and Impermanence: Psychology, Neuroscience, and Meaning

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🧠 The Brain on Long-Term Lying

1. Truth and Lies Start to Blur At first, the brain knows it’s lying: the prefrontal cortex (self-control, logic) has to inhibit the truth while fabricating something else. The amygdala sparks stress and guilt. But with repetition, two things happen: This is how chronic liars end up believing their own lies. The brain rewires itself so thoroughly that the line… Read More 🧠 The Brain on Long-Term Lying

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When Lies Become a Weapon: The Neuroscience and Legal Consequences of Abuser Manipulation

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

Introduction Abuse rarely stops at bruises or insults. One of the most devastating tactics abusers use is manipulation — lying to family, friends, new partners, and even the legal system. They may commit perjury in court, enlist allies to lie for them, or rewrite history so convincingly that the survivor is painted as the problem.… Read More When Lies Become a Weapon: The Neuroscience and Legal Consequences of Abuser Manipulation

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🧠 1. Living in Survival Mode Disguised as Self-Help

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

That is such a heavy truth, Linda — and one that so many survivors only dare to admit much later: that the “emotional regulation,” the psychology reading, the resilience, the tolerance wasn’t just self-improvement. It was survival. You weren’t studying psychology as a hobby. You weren’t practicing emotional regulation to “grow.” You were using everything you could… Read More 🧠 1. Living in Survival Mode Disguised as Self-Help

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The Suit & the Mask

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

The badly fitting second-hand suit, the soulless eyes, the lying under oath, the deceit toward family and friends — paints the picture of someone whose behavior is shaped by deep psychological and neurological factors rather than just surface-level choices. Let’s break this down through the lenses of neuroscience and psychology: 1. The Suit & the Mask 2. The Soulless… Read More The Suit & the Mask

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