Changing the Conversation Around Childhood Trauma and Abuse Survivors
Survivors of childhood trauma and abuse often face dismissive and victim-blaming attitudes. Phrases like “stop focusing on the past,” “get over it,” and “you’re just making yourself the victim” are not only hurtful but also harmful. They undermine the survivor’s experience and further perpetuate their pain. These responses are especially damaging as they shift the blame onto the survivor and dismiss the severity of their trauma.
Educating Kids on Empathy and Mental Health is a Shared Responsibility
One glaring issue in today’s society is how we treat those who struggle with mental health. For too long, people with mental health challenges have been marginalized, mocked, and misunderstood. Historically, societal norms have dictated that anyone who does not conform is to be viewed with suspicion and distrust. Human beings are hardwired this way, but that doesn’t mean we can’t change. Empathy can be taught and learned, and schools are the perfect setting for this essential education.
Breaking the Silence
What Trauma Survivors Really Need from Society Living with trauma and its aftermath is a battle fought every day. For survivors of trauma and abuse, the road to recovery is often long and filled with challenges that many cannot see or understand. This blog post aims to shed light on what trauma survivors truly need […]
Words Matter, Actions Matter More
Living with the aftermath of childhood trauma and abuse is an uphill battle. Every day is a struggle, and it’s often made harder by well-meaning but ultimately useless platitudes like “Hang in there.” These words, meant to comfort, can sometimes feel dismissive and disheartening. For those who love us and want to help, understanding how to use language more effectively can be a powerful tool.
Mental Illness Stigma Needs To Stop
Mental illness is an uninvited guest that lingers in the shadows of many lives, often invisible to the untrained eye. As someone who has navigated the murky waters of mental health, stemming from 13 years of childhood displacement, trauma, and abuse, I know all too well the importance of being seen and accepted. Yet, our […]
Unmasking the “Stop Playing the Victim” Gaslighting Tactic
The phrase “stop playing the victim” is often wielded as a tool of gaslighting against survivors of trauma. Those who use it frequently have little understanding of how trauma works and harbor misguided notions about the healing process. It’s a pernicious statement that invalidates the survivor’s experience and perpetuates a cycle of abuse and violence, often under the guise of ‘tough love’ or misguided authority.
The Healing Power of Taylor Swift’s “Look What You Made Me Do” for Child Abuse Survivors
Child abuse is a global phenomenon that has far-reaching effects not just on vulnerable children, but also on adult survivors. Its impact can show up in many ways, including chronic illnesses, emotional scars, and a tendency to revisit traumatic events. Survivors of child abuse are often forced to internalize the blame, resulting in a phenomenon […]
How to Break the Stigma Against Illness and Disabilities Due to Past Trauma
Oftentimes, when someone suffers from an illness or disability, we tend to associate it with weakness or think that it might be their fault. This can be especially true when individuals have past trauma that has contributed to their current condition. However, it’s important to recognize that this way of thinking is both harmful and untrue. In this blog post, we’ll take a deep dive into how we can work to break the stigma against illness and disabilities due to past trauma.
Understanding Victim Shaming: A Guide for Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse
As a survivor of childhood abuse, it can be hard to come to terms with the trauma that you’ve experienced. It can be even harder when those around you don’t understand the complexity of what you’ve been through. Victim shaming is an all too common occurrence that adult survivors of childhood abuse can experience, leading to feelings of shame, guilt, and even self-blame. In this blog post, we will explore victim shaming and how it affects survivors of childhood abuse. We’ll also provide you with a guide to understand and manage victim shaming that can help you on the road to recovery.
Harley Quinn: Stockholm Syndrome and Mental Illness
Stockholm Syndrome refers to a perplexing psychological condition wherein a captive develops feelings of affection or empathy towards their captor. Although controversial within the mental health field due to ethical concerns, it is crucial to shed light on the majority-agreed symptoms.