Many adults feel tense or on edge even when nothing seems obviously wrong. They manage responsibilities, hold things together, and still feel braced inside. Rest doesn’t last. Calm feels hard to access. Often, this isn’t about current stress. It’s about a stress response that formed early. Growing up in an emotionally unpredictable environment teaches the […]
https://www.saraperrettatherapy.com/blog/article-The%20Distorted%20Woman%20in%20the%20Mirror;%20A%20Case%20of%20Body%20Dysmorphic%20Disorder
In today’s fast-paced and often unpredictable world, anxiety has become a common challenge that many of us face. Whether it’s concerns about health, finances, relationships, or the future, uncertainty can trigger feelings of worry, fear, and helplessness. Managing anxiety during uncertain times is not only essential for our mental well-being but also empowers us to […]
The start of a new year often carries an unspoken pressure to “start over,” to be better, stronger, or more accomplished than before. For many African American individuals and families, however, the concept of *new beginnings* is more complex. It is shaped by history, cultural resilience, generational responsibility, and lived experiences with systemic stressors. As […]
This weekend we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The purpose of this day is to honor the memory of Dr. King and his message of acceptance and tolerance. However, are we honoring his memory and message? An argument could be made that no we are not honoring him or his message. In fact, you […]
Perimenopause and menopause are natural transitions – but for many women, they can feel anything but natural. Yes, we hear plenty about hot flashes and night sweats. What’s talked about far less are the inner experiences: the sudden anxiety that seems to come out of nowhere, the brain fog that makes simple tasks feel harder, […]
Trauma Responses or Personality Traits? Redefining the DSM for Survivors “I’ve been called dramatic, intense, needy—even manipulative. But what if I was just scared, and no one noticed?” If you’ve ever walked away from a therapy session or diagnosis feeling more judged than helped, you’re not alone. Many trauma survivors—especially those with complex or prolonged […]
ADHD, Trauma, and the Shame Spiral How to Interrupt the Cycle of Overwhelm and Self-Blame “I keep messing up. I forget things, I zone out, I say the wrong thing—and then I beat myself up for days. What’s wrong with me?” If that inner monologue sounds familiar, you might be caught in what therapists call […]
Borderline Personality Disorder: When Every Emotion Feels Like an Emergency: Life with BPD If you’ve ever felt like your emotions are just too loud, like your reactions come too fast and too hard and you can’t hit pause, you’re not alone. If you’ve been told you’re “Too much,” “too sensitive,” or that […]
If you’ve ever felt like your emotions run the show, or like you’re stuck in a loop of intense reactions, relationship blowups, or deep shame, you’re not alone. And you’re not beyond help. That’s where something called DBT comes in. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (don’t let the name scare you) is basically a super practical, powerful set of tools […]
