Living through a traumatic experience can cause many different reactions. Some people get outwardly angry and resentful, and others become more passive. The action of people-pleasing is generally caused by a traumatic experience and/or complex trauma. It is also known as the 4th response in the fight, fight, or freeze pattern, otherwise called the fawn response.
Childhood trauma is more common than many people think. However, many people who experience it—especially at a very young age—try to repress those memories or forget about them as a defense mechanism. That can work for a while. There are many functioning adults who had to deal with childhood trauma and haven’t had any major
Social anxiety can impact anyone. It refers to any individual who deals with irrational anxiety in social situations or through different interactions. Neurodivergent people often get labeled as “socially anxious,” though it’s even more common that they get mislabeled as shy. For those on the autism spectrum or with other neurodiverse conditions, being around groups
Most people have a basic understanding of trauma. You’ve undoubtedly heard of PTSD and experiences in childhood and adulthood that could lead to trauma symptoms. However, fewer people have either heard of or fully understand complex trauma. The two differ in that complex trauma is something that repeatedly happens over time. Therefore, it’s often referred
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is considered a type of anxiety disorder. While OCD can absolutely create anxious thoughts and foster anxiety-related symptoms, in more recent years, it has been also viewed as neurodiverse in origin. What does that mean? Someone who is neurodivergent has a brain that processes things differently, learns differently, or behaves differently than
Most people associate ADHD with young children. However, if your teenager wasn’t diagnosed as a child, or if you haven’t sought out treatment or management techniques until now, it’s important to navigate the waters of ADHD with your teenager. In just a few years, your teen will be on their own, and it’s essential that they
Being a parent is one of the most important and rewarding jobs you’ll ever have. Add being a parent of a neurodiverse child (with a diagnosis of autism, ADHD, and or anxiety/OCD), you have to parent differently. And, when you’re in the thick of it with some pretty challenging behaviors, it’s safe to say it’s also
While ADHD is typically associated with children, it carries into adulthood. Unfortunately, some of the symptoms of the disorder can negatively impact adult relationships. In romantic relationships, especially, ADHD can create uneven “roles” in which one partner might feel they have to take care of the other or always be the responsible one. That doesn’t
Dating is a nuanced experience for everyone. No two situations are exactly alike. Whether you’re heading out on a first date or you’ve been seeing a special someone for a while, the dating world can be a little stressful for everyone. However, it’s often especially overwhelming for neurodivergent individuals. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t date.
Everyone deals with trauma differently. However, most people recognize it as something that can severely impact your mental health and well-being. While that’s true, it’s important to note that your brain isn’t the only thing that holds onto trauma. Your body remembers, too, and can often hold onto the effects of trauma for many years. It