Trauma refers to an emotional or psychological response to an event or series of events that are distressing or disturbing, often exceeding an individual’s ability to cope. Traumatic experiences can be diverse and may include situations such as accidents, natural disasters, physical or sexual assault, combat, or the sudden loss of a loved one. Trauma can have a profound impact on an individual’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being, leading to a range of symptoms and challenges.
What it is:A deliberate process where an adult (or older youth) builds trust with a child to prepare them for sexual exploitation. How it happens: Key legal point:👉 Grooming itself is a crime, even before any sexual images, contact, or abuse occur. Intent matters, not whether the child “agreed” or understood. Sextortion of minors What it is:Using sexual images, videos, or messages… Read More Grooming of minors
Alcohol can have a profound and often counterproductive impact on trauma recovery, both neurologically and psychologically. Here’s a detailed breakdown: 1. Nervous System Impact Trauma leaves the nervous system hypervigilant. Alcohol: 2. Memory & Trauma Processing Essentially, alcohol blocks the brain from integrating the trauma safely. 3. Emotional Dysregulation 4. Interpersonal Impact 5. Risk of Re-traumatization 6. Why… Read More Memory & Trauma Processing
When you’re traumatised, your nervous system is not choosing behaviour — it’s protecting you. So what looks like “wrecking the relationship” is often: None of this is character failure.It’s unhealed threat memory meeting intimacy. Why trauma sabotages something that matters Trauma does three things in relationships: 1. It mistakes closeness for danger When connection deepens, the body remembers:… Read More What “messing up” in trauma really is
(How it feels in the body, mind, and nervous system) 🧠 Nervous System Trauma Bonding Healthy Attraction Key question:Do they regulate me — or do I regulate myself? ❤️ Emotional Experience Trauma Bonding Healthy Attraction Key question:Is this intensity or intimacy? 🧱 Boundaries Trauma Bonding Healthy Attraction Key question:Am I staying aligned with myself? 🔄… Read More Trauma Bonding vs Healthy Attraction
Meeting someone new while you’re still in trauma doesn’t mean you’re “doing it wrong” — but it does shape the relationship in very specific ways, whether people realise it or not. Let’s break it down gently and honestly. What trauma does to connection (even with good people) When you’re still in trauma recovery, your nervous system… Read More Mind and Body
After decades of abuse, the body and mind are often in a chronic survival state, even long after the relationship ends. This isn’t a flaw — it’s the nervous system doing exactly what it was built to do: protect you from ongoing threat. Understanding this helps identify which situations to avoid while rebuilding safety and autonomy. 1.… Read More Body and mind are often in a chronic survival state
This is often subtle and gradual, not dramatic. Neuroscience + psychology line up here: Signal What’s Happening Internally Outcome Sudden clarity Prefrontal cortex takes control over amygdala-driven fear loops Realisation: I don’t have to negotiate my worth anymore Shift from hope to self-interest Dopamine cravings from intermittent reinforcement fade Attachment energy is redirected internally Internal boundary… Read More The Exact Internal Moment When Strength Reclaims Itself
1. Idealisation & Bond Formation What it looks like What’s happening internally Key trap “This feels special — I’ve never had this before.” 2. First Boundary Breaches (Minimised) What it looks like Internal response Why she doesn’t leave 3. Cognitive Dissonance Phase What it looks like Internal split Neuroscience This is not denial — it’s the brain seeking stability. 4. Self-Erosion… Read More The Stages Before Leaving (What Actually Happens)
This is a hard question — and an important one.The short answer is: women don’t stay because they’re weak, they stay because abuse hijacks biology, psychology, economics, and safety all at once. Here’s the full picture, without blaming or myths. 1. Abuse rewires the brain (this is neuroscience, not choice) Abusive relationships often create trauma bonds. What’s… Read More Why so many women stay?
Trauma bonds form when attachment + threat + intermittent relief get wired together.Some personalities reliably create that wiring. 1. The Hot–Cold / Inconsistent personality 🔥❄️ Traits Why it bondsYour nervous system learns: Connection is unstable — I must work for it. Uncertainty spikes dopamine.Withdrawal spikes cortisol.Relief feels euphoric. This is textbook intermittent reinforcement — the strongest conditioning pattern the brain knows. ResultYou don’t… Read More Why some personalities trigger trauma bonds (and others don’t)
