successful survivor blog

As children, we had very little power. We couldn’t leave. We couldn’t protect ourselves. We couldn’t change the adults around us. What we could do was learn to anticipate moods, avoid upsetting people, and minimize the likelihood of punishment. We learned that even minor mistakes—or things that weren’t mistakes at all—could trigger anger, rejection, humiliation, withdrawal, or abuse. Over time, our nervous systems became highly attuned to danger. So we adapted.

Relationships are inevitable! Your most important relationship is the one with yourself. If that's not healthy, the others won't be either.

Are you living in "survival mode?" Whether it's a break-up, unemployment, or another kind of loss, you can overcome the struggles ...

If you survived childhood abuse, you're at high risk for toxic relationships. Here's how to know if your relationship is toxic or not.