Weaponized attachment is deliberately engineered using warmth, withdrawal and reinforcement. It turns emotional connection into control, mimicking codependency.

Studies show positive emotions shorten time perception and have an interesting connection with serotonin.

The same variable reward system that traps casino gamblers is built into every little green, red or blue screen notification button

Psychotherapist Esther Perel takes power to a different level. Power is neither good nor bad. It’s intrinsic to every relationship.

I think we all agree we need beauty and joy in life. William Wordsworth gives us his gift of enlightenment from our mundane existence.

Criminal profiling techniques aren’t just for crime scenes. They help you spot liars, character, and predict everyday behaviour

Reality isn’t the problem; it’s that our expectations don’t match it. But we can change that and live more satisfying, happier lives

Research shows projection defends against uncomfortable and undesirable feelings — pushing the cost onto someone else.

After years of witnessing grudges, envy and wounded pride, I’ve learned why resentment reveals more about our own wounds than those we…

M. Scott Peck outlined in his book, “People of the Lie” (1983), how lying and deception are characteristic of evil behaviour

Coercive control forces another person to live by someone else’s will instead of their own. It erodes their ability to make decisions.

Predictive coding and metastability add a new layer to “The Body Keeps the Score”. It suggests that trauma is a loss of brain flexibility.

Life lessons from a social scientist (Arthur Brooks) on why life’s meaning isn’t a problem to solve, but something to wrestle with.

We were sitting together. I was reading a book, and he said I was laughing at him. I wasn’t. Then I realised it was never about me.

New research shows abused children’s brains react like soldiers in combat — but resilience and safety can rewrite that pattern

How manipulation, mixed messages and unwanted authority undermined my autonomy and trust in my own judgement

Research suggests uncertainty doesn’t just cause anxiety. It reduces openness to diversity and social change, increasing right-wing appeal.

The same variable reward system that traps casino gamblers is built into every little green, red or blue screen notification button

I misunderstood autonomy and privacy. Privacy isn’t withholding; it’s a wider struggle over access, identity and sociopolitical context

Most people think that avoiding eye contact means lying. But better clues are how someone answers unpredictable questions

I thought I was consciously deciding, but it was my habits that made the decisions

Unhelpful thinking habits tend to surface under pressure, especially before or after distressing situations

What repeated emotional manipulation, abuse, and adversity does to a traumatised nervous system

Coercive control forces another person to live by someone else’s will instead of their own. It erodes their ability to make decisions.

Not all evil is a crime scene. When everyday cruelty in plain sight becomes normalised — it’s a public health issue

New research shows how abusers exploit attachment, entrapping and keeping their victims in emotional captivity.

False fear keeps us submissive and quiet — until we learn to tell the difference and understand fear

Elton John sang it, now science explains it — more syllables mean more sincerity

This quirky old word for petty lies and nonsense is the perfect match for April Fool’s Day

Trauma can leave your nervous system stuck in fight or flight long after the danger is over

Biblical views on guilt, obedience, self-sacrifice, forgiveness, and anger can stop Christians from setting healthy boundaries.

Not all decisions are autonomous, even when they feel voluntary. But sometimes it’s hard to know the difference.

A first-of-its-kind psychological study shows how maladaptive daydreaming interferes with daily life in undiagnosed people

When you hear this phrase, what first comes to mind — survival of the fittest, competitiveness, or something darker?

You may not realise you’re doing it, or know how to stop. It’s not only about narcissism; it’s how you contribute to it

Predictive coding and metastability add a new layer to “The Body Keeps the Score”. It suggests that trauma is a loss of brain flexibility.

Links to my stories on trauma bonding, gaslighting, the nervous system, and cognitive dissonance. What’s the connection?

New research shows how abusers exploit attachment, entrapping and keeping their victims in emotional captivity.

Reality isn’t the problem; it’s that our expectations don’t match it. But we can change that and live more satisfying, happier lives

Psychologists say that gratitude motivates change more effectively than pressure or guilt. A sprinkle of emotional intelligence helps

Do you eat to soothe stress or insecurity? Our cravings for comfort food are connected to familiarity and belonging

Systems can cause uncertainty. Complaints create more burden, that gets redirected, but to whom?

The same variable reward system that traps casino gamblers is built into every little green, red or blue screen notification button

Crime analyst Laura Richards says our language hides who the abuser really is — and why using words like “toxic” can cost lives

Most people think that avoiding eye contact means lying. But better clues are how someone answers unpredictable questions

Research explains the trade-off — kindness is seen as more moral, while honesty is more trustworthy

Research shows that using supportive language to refuse a request leads to less pressure and a more authentic yes

Signs you’re giving too much of yourself — burnout, dependency, and taking criticism too personally

When fear crosses the line from protection to control, the same instinct that saves us from danger becomes a tool that steals our intuition