Author Archives: Shay Seaborne, CPTSD
Top 10 Reasons Everyday People Should Learn About Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB)
Most people hear the word “neurobiology” and think it’s something only scientists or therapists need to understand. But Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB)–also called Relational Neuroscience–includes much more than knowing brain parts and how they work; it enhances our human experience and … Continue reading
Posted in Neurobiology
Tagged conflict, connection, human, IPNB, Mental Health, relationships, science, well-being
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My Survival Is the Punchline: Cartooning the Awful Truth
I make cartoon watercolors because my system won’t let me keep it all inside. When something is too much, too absurd, too violating, or too flat-out dismissive, I feel compelled to get it out on paper. It’s not an intellectual … Continue reading
Posted in Abuse, Healthcare
Tagged accountability, art, cartoons, creativity, expression, integration, medical abuse, Medicine, psychiatry, watercolors
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Stripped of Dignity: My Short Time on Food Stamps
I was on food stamps for a short while in my 25th year. A broken right hand made it impossible to do my job. I lost my income, and nobody would hire someone with a broken right hand. I couldn’t … Continue reading
The Societal is the Cellular: The Biology of a Sick Culture
Everywhere we look, people are unwell. Nearly ¼ of US adults live with a diagnosed mental illness, and over ¾ of adults have at least one chronic health condition. More than ½ have multiple chronic conditions. This is most of … Continue reading
Posted in Neurobiology
Tagged biology, cellular, chronic stress, connection, culture, distress, exploitation, IPNB, Neuroplasticity, safety, social, societal, society, suffering, Trauma
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The Manufactured SNAP Crisis: A Nation’s Moral Reckoning
As the government shutdown drags on, nearly 42 million Americans are staring down an uncertain future. The Trump administration has announced it will not tap into emergency funds to maintain SNAP benefits beyond October, leaving millions without the food assistance … Continue reading
Posted in Politics
Tagged abuse, compassion, cruelty, food insecurity, hierarchy, hunger, justice, politics, SNAP, Trump Administration
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Why Homeostasis Matters More Than You Think
Most people don’t think much about homeostasis, but it’s the foundation of well-being. Homeostasis means the body and mind are in balance, able to meet life’s demands without burning out. It’s the state where we feel grounded, connected, and alive. … Continue reading
Fun, Magic, and Connection: An IPNB View of the 2005 Homeschool Victory
I’ve always called it “Fun & Magic,” or “collaborating with the universe.” It’s that moment when all the groundwork has been laid, the relationships are built, the connections are made, and something big responds to a disruptor. It’s when your … Continue reading
The Most Dangerous Part of Being a Healthcare Practitioner
Working in healthcare can be meaningful and even life-affirming, but it also carries a kind of stress that is often invisible and unspoken. From an interpersonal neurobiology perspective, the danger isn’t just in burnout or long hours. It’s in what … Continue reading
Posted in Healthcare
Tagged care, connection, danger, healthcare, Medicine, practitioner, safety, suffering, support
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Dear Doctor, Please Pause and Take a Breath Outside the Door
Dear Doctor, please pause and take a breath outside the door. It’s good for both of us. I know the system you work in demands too much, too fast, for too little. It rewards efficiency over empathy, billing codes over … Continue reading
Posted in Healthcare
Tagged breathe, connection, disconnection, Doctor, dysregulated, healthcare, IPNB, Medicine, mindful breath, pause, presence, safety, stress reduction
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