Category Archives: Mental Health
Why a Child’s Quality of Life Depends on a Parent’s Cohesive Narrative
From an Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB) perspective, a child’s quality of life is deeply influenced by their parents’ ability to create a cohesive narrative of their own lives. This is because a cohesive narrative helps parents provide a stable, secure, and … Continue reading
Posted in Children, Mental Health
Tagged interpersonal neurobiology, IPNB, narrative, parents, quality of life
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World Mental Health Day: Understanding the Root Causes of Mental Health Conditions Through an IPNB Lens
As we recognize World Mental Health Day on October 10th, it’s important to step back and examine the deeper, systemic causes of the global mental health crisis. From an Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB) perspective, mental health is not just an individual … Continue reading
The Toxic Dogma of “Your Role in Your Suffering”
The idea that “healing means taking responsibility for your role in your suffering” comes from a pathologizing and shame-based perspective. From an Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB) perspective, the idea that individuals are responsible for their suffering is indeed problematic and overly … Continue reading
Posted in Mental Health
Tagged Community, connection, Empathy, interpersonal neurobiology, IPNB, Mental Health, Psychology, well-being
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How Media Affects Our Nervous Systems: An IPNB Perspective
In mainstream media, we typically see a focus on topics and narratives that prioritize certain types of stories over others. Key trends include: Breaking News and Sensationalism: Media tends to prioritize sensational stories that grab attention, like celebrity gossip, political … Continue reading
Posted in Mental Health
Tagged corporate influence, corporate interests, culture, influencers, interpersonal neurobiology, IPNB, media, Mental Health, news, tv
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Can Humming “Shut Down Your Ability to Think?”
A social media meme claims that humming can “shut down your ability to think,” but what does neuroscience say? Humming does engage certain parts of the brain, particularly those involved in producing and controlling sound and breathing. This engagement can … Continue reading
Posted in Mental Health
Tagged ANS, Autonomic Nervous System, humming, Mental Health, Regulation
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Un-Shaming “Co-Dependency,” an Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB) View
From an interpersonal neurobiology (IPNB) perspective, what is often labeled as “co-dependency” can be reinterpreted as a survival adaptation. In the context of IPNB, our brains evolved for connection and relationships are crucial for our emotional and physical well-being. When … Continue reading
Desperate for Connection, Paralyzed by Fear: Trauma’s Cruel Dilemma
One of the cruelest effects of complex trauma is how our nervous systems become equally desperate for connection and terrified of it. Any interaction can feel potentially dangerous. We focus on detecting threats and protecting ourselves, but we can’t protect … Continue reading
Posted in Mental Health
Tagged Betrayal Trauma, Complex PTSD, connection, interpersonal neurobiology, IPNB, love, Mental Health, PTSD, Social Anxiety, Trauma, well-being
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Feel It for 90 Seconds: The Surprising Lifespan of Emotions
Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, a neuroanatomist, explains that the biochemical lifespan of an emotion is roughly 90 seconds. According to her, when we experience an emotion, the physiological response—triggered by a stimulus—lasts about 90 seconds in the body before it … Continue reading
Posted in Mental Health
Tagged 90 seconds, body, Complex PTSD, dissociation, emotions, feelings, interpersonal neurobiology, IPNB, Jill Bolte Taylor, neurobiology, Neuroscience, PTSD, somatic, Trauma
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SGB for PTSD: The Breakthrough Work of Dr. Eugene Lipov
Back in late 2020, when I was near death for most of a year, I had struggled for many months to find access to Stellate Ganglion Blocks (SGB) as a treatment for Complex PTSD. I had read about this minimally … Continue reading
Posted in SGB for PTSD
Tagged Complex PTSD, interpersonal neurobiology, IPNB, Mental Health, PTSD, PTSD recovery, SGB, SGB4PTSD, Stellate Ganglion Block
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Addressing the Temporary Nature of SGB Relief with Integrative Approaches for Long-Term Trauma Recovery
Why SGB Relief May Not Last: Factors and Solutions for Effective Trauma Management The temporary nature of relief provided by Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) can be influenced by several factors. Understanding these factors and addressing them can help improve long-term … Continue reading