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Revealing the Neuroscience of PTSD and CPTSD

Growing up or experiencing prolonged exposure to stress and trauma isn’t just tough on your mental health; it has tangible, physical effects on your body, particularly on what’s known as your HPA axis. This might sound like a complicated scientific term, but it’s essentially the command center for how your body responds to stress. When this system gets out of whack, it can lead to a cascade of health issues that affect everything from your mood to how well you fight off a cold.

5 Must-Have Relationship Skills | Counseling and Social Work Skills

Building and maintaining healthy relationships is crucial for our well-being. Relationships, whether with family, friends, or romantic partners, provide social support, which is a significant buffer against stress. Understanding and improving relationship skills can help you foster stronger connections and address common challenges that can sabotage relationships.

5 Steps in Trauma Bond Formation | Counseling and Social Work Skills

A trauma bond forms when a victim becomes emotionally attached to an abuser, creating a connection that is difficult to break. This bond is characterized by the victim justifying or rationalizing the abuse to survive what seems like an inescapable situation. The victim may start believing that the abuse signifies love and that their actions are to blame for the abuser’s anger or behavior. This phenomenon often occurs in cases of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), where the traumatic event is repetitive, and the victim feels there is no escape.

7 Signs You Have a Trauma | Counseling and Social Work Skills

A trauma bond is a powerful emotional attachment between a victim and an abuser, where the victim rationalizes or justifies the abuse, often blaming themselves or believing the abuse is a sign of love. This bond is a common consequence of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) and can significantly affect a person’s ability to recognize and escape abusive relationships.