Tag Archives: love

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

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From Survival to Awe: Healing the Nervous System’s Emotional Landscape

It happened while I was watching several hummingbirds swoop around my head in my patio garden. I felt a glimmer of awe! This was the first time in recent months. During the past 6 years, ever since the behavioral health … Continue reading

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An Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB) View of Loving Somebody Who is “Damaged”

 A meme on social media stated that one can “Never know how much a person is ‘damaged’ until you try to love them.” “Damaged” is a pathologizing term. From an interpersonal neurobiology (IPNB) perspective, the idea that you never know … Continue reading

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