Category: Emotional Abuse

The Good Therapy Blog

You’re NOT Too Sensitive

May 2nd, 2013 . 8 Comments

Have you ever been told that you can’t take a joke, that you overreact, or that you are just too sensitive? Well, sit back and find out that there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. You see, sensitivity to criticism is earned. Yes, you read that correctly. No one is born to be sensitive to criticism; one is groomed and nurtured in environments of emotional harm. If you... Read More

Coping with My Mother’s Reaction to Sibling Sexual Abuse

March 28th, 2013 . 11 Comments

My family moved to England from the United States when I was very young. My first memories are British ones. I remember learning to tie my school tie, and being proud of the little sword and shield crest on my tiny blazer. When I was 7, we moved back to America. Shortly after arriving back in the United States, my older brother began his sexual advances. I have never been able to find out what had happened to him before he began to repeat the behavior, or when and where it occurred, but I am sure he was abused at a point prior to moving back to... Read More

Are You Being Manipulated? Keys to Hidden Aggression

March 22nd, 2013 . 8 Comments

We all engage in manipulation from time to time. When your boss asks you what you thought of his or her terrible presentation and you render lavish praise, you’re concealing your real feelings in an attempt to elicit the reaction you want from someone in power. But in close interpersonal relationships, manipulation can take on a much darker hue, leaving its targets never quite... Read More

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The Effects of Incarceration on Mental Health

March 15th, 2013 . 4 Comments

Although jail time might seem like a distant possibility for most people, incarceration rates in the United States are steadily rising. One study published in the journal Pediatrics found that 41% of young adults have been arrested by the time they are 23. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) reports that 6.6% of people serve time in prison at some point in their lives, and the statistic rises to a shocking 32% for African-American men. More than half of inmates are diagnosed with a mental health disorder. As state mental hospitals continue to close... Read More

Narcissism: Inside the Lonely, Envious World of the ‘Perfect Ones’

March 13th, 2013 . 14 Comments

Healthy narcissism is an accurate picture of the self properly valued, without shame and without overblown estimations. But most of the time when we talk about narcissism we’re thinking about the other kind, where the person thinks he or she is perfect in every way; you are just the opposite, a total loser, and the “Perfect One” is an expert at making sure you feel that way. Now, I’m not saying this is a plot, something done on purpose. It can be unconscious,... Read More

Does Type of Abuse Predict Content of Hallucinations?

February 8th, 2013 . 2 Comments

Although auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) are common in people with psychosis, they are also evident in individuals with no history of psychosis. Frequency of AVH varies from hearing voices at only one time to hearing them over a period of years or decades. The content of the AVHs varies as much as the frequency. For some individuals, AVHs are negative and threatening, while for other people, AVHs are comforting and safe. Theories suggest that people with... Read More

Consider Adverse Childhood Experiences Pre- and Post-Deployment

February 7th, 2013 . 3 Comments

Members of the armed forces go through a battery of physical and psychological tests prior to serving. If they are deployed, they undergo even further testing upon return home. But in recent years the number of military suicides has increased concern with respect to the mental health of soldiers prior to and after deployment. Researchers have shown that certain conditions, in particular, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), put people at risk for mental health problems,... Read More

Super Bowl Sunday: Worst Day of the Year for Domestic Violence?

February 1st, 2013 . 4 Comments

The claim that domestic violence is at its peak on Super Bowl Sunday has been repeated so often that it’s widely accepted as fact. It certainly jives nicely with popular ideas about the ways in which alcohol, stress, male bonding, loyalties, gambling, and sports contribute to violent... Read More

Why Pat Robertson Is Wrong About Marriage

January 19th, 2013 . 14 Comments

Conservative religious preacher and cultural critic Pat Robertson is known for his controversial statements, particularly about women and marriage. True to form, he recently commented that many unhappy marriages are due to “awful-looking” women. This isn’t the first time he has blamed women’s appearances for their marital problems; he once advised a woman that her... Read More

Intimate Partner Violence Leads to Problem Behavior in Children

December 7th, 2012 . 8 Comments

Intimate partner violence (IPV) takes many forms, including physical violence, emotional abuse, and sexual violence. Witnessing this type of behavior can result in deleterious outcomes for children. Problems, including disruptive behavior, are often present in children who have been exposed to IPV. But until now, the link between specific types of IPV and disruptive behavior has not been clearly established.... Read More

What Compels Police Officers to Harass and Bully Each Other?

December 5th, 2012 . 2 Comments

Police officers encounter high levels of stress. They constantly put themselves in life-threatening situations and are often unaware of what challenges their workday will bring. In addition to these factors, they work hours that are sporadic and demanding, and engage in high levels of competition among other police units. These factors contribute to aggression and harassment in any work environment. For police officers, the risk may be even higher. But is harassment caused by these conditions alone, or is there something else causing police officer... Read More

Risk and Coping Among Women with Abusive Partners

November 13th, 2012 . 5 Comments

The way women cope with intimate partner violence (IPV) varies based on a number of factors. In a recent study, Lauren Bennett Cattaneo of the Department of Psychology at George Mason University in Virginia tested a relatively new coping model on a sample of 142 female survivors of IPV. The women were recruited after they had filed a legal complaint against their current or former partners. They were assessed for levels of psychological, physical, and sexual abuse and stalking that... Read More

Why Do Women Report Higher Rates of PTSD Than Men?

October 31st, 2012 . 6 Comments

Men and women are equally vulnerable to factors that can lead to posttraumatic stress (PTSD), such as child abuse, sexual abuse, maltreatment, violence, and natural disasters. However, women report far more cases of PTSD than men and tend to have longer symptom duration. Some speculation regarding this unique dynamic has hinted toward a higher vulnerability to symptoms of PTSD in women. Other factors that could influence the discrepancy in PTSD rates between sexes include type of trauma... Read More

Risk Factors for Alcohol-Fueled Intimate Partner Violence Among Military

October 29th, 2012 . 7 Comments

Members of the military face numerous challenges that the average civilian does not. Enlisted men and women must endure rigorous work schedules, dangerous situations, adjustment to military life, and sometimes long periods of separation. Add to that additional stresses for returning veterans, financial strain due to low pay, and the struggles of raising small children and you have the potential for a highly tense environment. Intimate ... Read More