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Information about Childhood Trauma
ByMikeM December 14, 2022December 14, 2022 Reading Time: 1 minute

I stumbled upon this post from Psych Central today that I hadn’t seen before. As I read it, I considered sharing it and pulling out a quote to focus on, like I sometimes do, but I decided not to. I decided that because there are multiple things you should go read. The article talks about the signs of childhood trauma, the causes of trauma, and some suggestions for treatment.

Then the author, Melissa Gooden, suggests books for parents, caregivers, and kids, links to places where they can learn more or get help, etc.

Read More Information about Childhood Trauma
Links

Sharing – The idea that many people grow following trauma may be a myth
ByMikeM October 11, 2022October 11, 2022 Reading Time: 2 minutes

Over the years of having this website, I’ve had many people suggest that my abusive childhood made me more compassionate and a kinder human being. Or, maybe it gave me a better sense of humor or made me more spiritual.

Or maybe it didn’t. No version of me wasn’t abused. If there had been a version of me that wasn’t abused, he could be more compassionate. He could be a complete narcissist. He could be funnier or kinder. He could be a selfish ass.

No one knows. That version of me is Schrodinger’s cat. It’s all the possibilities because the box can never be opened to see what’s inside.

Read More Sharing – The idea that many people grow following trauma may be a myth
Links

Sharing – I’m a psychologist – and I believe we’ve been told devastating lies about mental health
ByMikeM September 30, 2022July 18, 2023 Reading Time: 2 minutes

Of course, he’s right. What he sees in the UK is the same thing I see from my “much less qualified but simply paying attention” seat in the US, and I’m sure many of you see where you live as well. Our current mental health resources are designed to help “fix” something wrong with us. I can’t say they even do that well, but at least that is the plan, and that plan makes sense for many mental health struggles.

It is only part of the picture, though. In all seriousness, how would the 6-8 therapist sessions a good insurance plan covers help someone escaping domestic abuse or trying to feed a family on a minimum wage job? How is the teenager being abused at home, bullied at school, and overwhelmed by the bleakness of what the world might look like when they are an adult supposed to find hope in one crisis text line conversation?

How will we provide hope and connection to people without first understanding their world and how they navigate it every day?

Read More Sharing – I’m a psychologist – and I believe we’ve been told devastating lies about mental health
Weekly Links

Shared Links (weekly) Sept. 18, 2022
ByMikeM September 18, 2022July 12, 2025 Reading Time: 1 minute
Read More Shared Links (weekly) Sept. 18, 2022
Links

Sharing – Kids Who Witness Domestic Violence May Suffer Mentally for Decades
ByMikeM April 28, 2022April 28, 2022 Reading Time: 1 minute

Despite childhood trauma’s disadvantages, kids can recover after childhood trauma and live perfectly healthy, successful lives. They need help. They need a support system and people there to help them navigate it, but childhood trauma is not, as we often hear a life sentence.

I wish we would talk about this more. Survivors could use the reminder.

Read More Sharing – Kids Who Witness Domestic Violence May Suffer Mentally for Decades
Book Reviews

Reviews Elsewhere – The Strange & Curious Guide to Trauma by Sally Donovan
ByMikeM April 25, 2022April 24, 2022 Reading Time: 1 minute

I came across this review when someone shared it on social media, and it got picked up and passed around a bit. The review is from the Foster Talk page, which is aimed at Foster families and intersects the topics here when we talk about childhood trauma. Ruth Willets shared this about the book, which might be of interest to many of you who have teens and kids who have experienced trauma, or maybe even some young adults who could use some help understanding what trauma does to us.

Read More Reviews Elsewhere – The Strange & Curious Guide to Trauma by Sally Donovan