With Elli

Photo By With Elli The word “trauma” is often used to describe painful experiences, but in psychology—especially in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) —it has a very specific meaning. In this context, trauma refers to an experience that involves actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence . It is the core of what professionals call Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders , such as PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) and ASD (Acute Stress Disorder). What Counts as a Traumatic Experience? A person can be affected by trauma in a few different ways: Directly experiencing something life-threatening or violent. Witnessing such an event happening to someone else. Learning that a close family member or friend experienced a violent or accidental death or serious harm. Repeated exposure to very disturbing details of trauma (like rescue workers, police, or emergency staff). Watching upsetting things on TV or social media doesn’t...

Photo by With Elli There is a quiet, ongoing conversation within each of us — an inner dialogue that shapes how we think, feel, and act. Most of the time, it happens unnoticed. Yet, it is this dialogue — the words we say to ourselves, the tone we use, the comfort or criticism we offer — that adds to our emotional world. To “be the parent to your in ner child” means to become conscious of that inner conversation and learn how to nurture, protect, and guide the childlike part within you that still longs to feel seen, safe, and loved. Understanding Our Inner Structure Psychiatrist Eric Berne , the founder of Transactional Analysis (TA) , described the human psyche as composed of three ego states: the Parent , the Adult , and the Child . These inner roles are not abstract ideas — they are living parts of our inner world, shaped by early experiences and the people who raised us. The Inner Parent represents the voices, attitudes, and behaviors we absorbed from our caregivers. It can be n...

Photo by With Elli I feel a bit embarrassed to admit this, but I’m 32 years old and I’ve never really understood what PMS is. I knew the concept, of course — I’ve heard people talk about it all my life — but I never got it. So I decided to find out. 🌙 What Is PMS? Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a disruptive set of emotional and physical symptoms that appear before menstruation. The exact cause of PMS isn’t fully understood by researchers, but it’s believed to be linked to changes in hormone levels throughout the menstrual cycle. While PMS is mostly associated with the luteal phase (the time between ovulation and the start of menstruation), its causes are complex and may involve several interconnected factors. 🌸 Why Do We Have It? Although the cause is still uncertain, scientific studies suggest that PMS arises from the way our bodies and brains respond to hormonal fluctuations. Cyclic Changes in Hormones: The main theory is that PMS is related to the natural drop in est...