Toxic relationships are more than just emotionally draining. They can have a lasting impact on your mental, emotional, and even physical well-being. I know, as I have first-hand experience of being in a toxic relationship.

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM)—a time dedicated to shining a light on the reality of unhealthy relationships among teens and empowering young people to build safe, respectful partnerships. This issue is more prevalent than many realize, and raising awareness is the first step toward change.

My last article dealt with the increase in abuse cases during the holiday season. There are several reasons, but the fact remains that this is a sad reality for some. For those lucky enough not to have experienced abuse (and, yes, you are very fortunate), the question becomes, how would you really recognize it at family gatherings or holiday parties. Here’s the top five ways people experience gaslighting and domestic abuse, with examples to illustrate each type.

As most of us already know, October is Domestic Violence Awareness month.  This is the time when some light is shed on this very dark topic in an effort to bring awareness and education to stop the abuse.  Domestic abuse, also known as domestic violence, is a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound someone. Domestic abuse can occur within a range of relationships including married couples, cohabiting couples, or dating couples, and can affect individuals regardless of age, gender, economic standing, or sexual orientation.

In the complex world of relationships, both personal and professional, certain negative behaviors can arise that are important to recognize. Two such behaviors are "gaslighting" and "ghosting," each distinct in its nature but equally damaging. Understanding these terms and how they work can help us identify and protect ourselves from these toxic dynamics.

Have you noticed when scrolling social media that the words “gaslighting” and “narcissism” seem to constantly appear?  Or perhaps listen to the news, particularly political news, and we hear or see gaslighting and narcissism in action.  So then what exactly is narcissism, and can it be prevented?

Almost 30 years ago, I found myself waking up in a psych ward realizing that I survived a suicide attempt.  The doctor came in and simply said, “Your environment is making you sick.”  That statement got my wheels in motion.  Laying in that room I reflected on the past seventeen years and what led me to attempt suicide.  I came to the heartbreaking conclusion I was not happy in my marriage and realized that I was constantly walking on eggshells.  Nothing I said or did was ever good enough.  I was always to blame for the slightest infraction and, quite simply, I wasn’t treated well.  In those days, they referred to this as verbal abuse.  Now they coin this gaslighting.

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.  According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), it is estimated that 1 in 9 female and 1 in 16 male high school students has experienced some type of dating abuse. 

As we head into a new year, I wanted to take a minute and talk about self-esteem and spotting signs when your relationship might need a tune-up. Let's break it down with five must-know signs to keep your self-esteem soaring!

The holiday season is difficult for many people, especially for victims of domestic violence. Here are some reasons the holidays are especially hard for victims of domestic abuse:

In a world where silence often shrouds the painful experiences of abuse, finding the strength to open up and share your story can be a powerful step towards healing. The journey of recovery is unique for each survivor, but one common thread that binds many is the transformative power of breaking the silence. In this blog, we'll explore the importance of opening up about your experience of abuse, the challenges involved, and the healing that can arise from sharing your story.

As you may already know, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In my effort to continually educate on the red flags and subtleties of abuse, especially gaslighting, I wanted to point out five common misconceptions.

The real reasons why narcissists engage in gaslighting behavior are complex and may vary from one individual to another. However, some common underlying motivations for gaslighting by narcissists include:

Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation that can have profound and lasting effects on a person's mental and emotional well-being. This insidious behavior can occur in various settings, including relationships, workplaces, and even among friends and family. In this blog, we will delve into the effects of being gaslighted, shedding light on the damage it can inflict and offering guidance on how to heal.

Leaving a domestic abusive situation can be a difficult and complex process. Here are some steps that may be helpful:

The other day, I was being interviewed about my novel on gaslighting and I was asked an interesting question.  The interviewer commented that he doesn’t recall anyone ever telling him that they were in an abusive relationship.  He was questioning whether my book could benefit him. 

Many of you have heard the words narcissist and gaslighting.  In fact, you may have heard them used together in the same sentence!  But how do they relate to each other?  Let’s begin with defining these terms.

In my efforts to continually bring awareness to domestic violence, February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness month.  I found a website, DoSomething.org, created as a collective group of millions of young people trying to make a change for the good.  They have outlined 11 facts on teen dating violence that I would like to share.

Did you know that among teens and young adults, 1 in 3 teens will experience physical, sexual or emotional abuse from someone they are in a relationship with before they become adults.  And nearly half (43%) of U.S. College women report experiencing violent or abusive dating behaviors.  These facts are sobering.

What are the 7 stages of trauma bonding?