Watching holiday films at our home is much like an endurance sport. While there is a strict “not before Thanksgiving rule,” once the stuffing has been put away, it’s no holds barred.... Read more »
People often feel embarrassed when they struggle to go no contact with a toxic or narcissistic person. Friends may say, “Just block them,” or “Why don’t you walk away already?” To others,... Read more »
When relationships become challenging, we want to understand what’s going on. We look for causes. And most of the time, we become convinced that our loved ones are to blame. We find... Read more »
Relationships can be deeply rewarding for people with ADHD, but the traits that come with the condition can sometimes create challenges. A toxic relationship is one where unhealthy patterns—such as manipulation, control,... Read more »
Have you ever gone completely quiet in the middle of an argument—your mind blank, your mouth frozen? Or felt so overwhelmed after a fight that you left—not just the room, but the... Read more »
Parent-child relationships are often portrayed as inherently loving, but this isn’t true for many adult children. Instead, they endure ongoing emotional harm or mistreatment from their parents that undermines their self-worth. If... Read more »
This is the first post in a series on toxic emotions in politics. A major theme of this blog is the importance of emotions in understanding our political beliefs. Although we may... Read more »
While therapy can foster self-awareness and growth, some misuse therapeutic language to justify their actions. Consider a friend who constantly cancels plans at the last minute, stating the need to protect their... Read more »
While autistic people can make and maintain healthy friendships with others, many autistic people report that they have had bad experiences with toxic friends. It’s not that autistic people are inherently more... Read more »
Clinical psychologist Paula Freedman-Diamond defines toxic striving as a relentless and inflexible pursuit of perfection, societal ideals, and external validation that comes at the expense of one’s well-being. This constant pressure to... Read more »