Lifetime Connections

Relationships

Is Your Relationship in Trouble?

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on May 26, 2023

Relationship breakups can be painful, but understanding factors that may predict a breakup can help you be more prepared.

Relationship breakups can be painful, but understanding factors that may predict a breakup can help you be more prepared.

Relationships

Your Brain in Love: How Romantic Attraction Alters the Brain

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on May 18, 2023

No equation explains the math behind which committed relationships will develop along upward linear trajectories and which peter out quickly.

No equation explains the math behind which committed relationships will develop along upward linear trajectories and which peter out quickly.

Trauma

Mass Violence Fatigue: What's Normal and What's Not?

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on April 27, 2023

We need to give ourselves space and time to process a traumatic event and experience the pain safely.

We need to give ourselves space and time to process a traumatic event and experience the pain safely.

Parental Alienation

13 Tactics Used to Alienate Grandparents

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on April 4, 2023

Grandparent alienation is an intentional effort to keep grandparents from their grandchildren, and it happens in many hurtful ways.

Grandparent alienation is an intentional effort to keep grandparents from their grandchildren, and it happens in many hurtful ways.

Family Dynamics

Grandparent Alienation: A Loss Unlike Any Other

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on March 31, 2023

If the cut-off is an outgrowth of emotional fusion in the family, remember that the harder you try to get close, the more you are likely to be pushed away.

If the cut-off is an outgrowth of emotional fusion in the family, remember that the harder you try to get close, the more you are likely to be pushed away.

Relationships

Time to Call It Quits? 4 Ways to Break Up With Your Partner

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on March 28, 2023

When a relationship deal-breaker is revealed, what's the best way to end things? When the choice is yours, choose to be kind.

When a relationship deal-breaker is revealed, what's the best way to end things? When the choice is yours, choose to be kind.

Child Development

Kids Need Leisure Time as Much as Adults Do

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on March 10, 2023

Everyone benefits from a little boredom, especially children—it’s good motivation to think creatively about life and what to do next.

Everyone benefits from a little boredom, especially children—it’s good motivation to think creatively about life and what to do next.

Narcissism

How Narcissists Use Others Like a Yoyo

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on March 3, 2023

Narcissists will do whatever it takes to suck you in. Once they’ve gotten all they can from you, they will push you away. Do you feel like a narcissist's yoyo on a string?

Narcissists will do whatever it takes to suck you in. Once they’ve gotten all they can from you, they will push you away. Do you feel like a narcissist's yoyo on a string?

Marriage

13 Signs Your Marriage May Be Over and 7 Things to Do Next

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on February 21, 2023

Knowing when to leave a relationship is important, but knowing what you need to do next is just as important for your overall well-being.

Knowing when to leave a relationship is important, but knowing what you need to do next is just as important for your overall well-being.

Parenting

Commando Parenting: Is It Best for Your Children?

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on February 15, 2023

Even though out-of-bounds behavior should not be tolerated, parents should continue to communicate unconditional love for their children.

Even though out-of-bounds behavior should not be tolerated, parents should continue to communicate unconditional love for their children.

Narcissism

The Double Grief of Having Had a Narcissistic Parent

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on February 9, 2023

Narcissistic parents are woefully inadequate and their children may need to grieve twice: once for the parenting they never received and again when their parent dies.

Narcissistic parents are woefully inadequate and their children may need to grieve twice: once for the parenting they never received and again when their parent dies.

Self-Help

Using the “Hot Lava” Game to Energize Problem-Solving

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on January 31, 2023

A Personal Perspective: When faced with challenging circumstances, you can’t go wrong by adding a little levity that changes the way you’re looking at a challenge.

A Personal Perspective: When faced with challenging circumstances, you can’t go wrong by adding a little levity that changes the way you’re looking at a challenge.

Divorce

Women Seek Divorce More Often: The Aftermath Isn't Always Easy

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on January 27, 2023

Even when you are sure that leaving your partner is the right thing to do, it can still be hard to walk away. Here are tips for preparing for divorce.

Even when you are sure that leaving your partner is the right thing to do, it can still be hard to walk away. Here are tips for preparing for divorce.

Addiction

The Ambiguous Loss of Loving an Addict and Letting Them Go

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on January 20, 2023

Grieving the person you knew before their addiction began is painful, but in grief, reaching out pays dividends that turning inward cannot match.

Grieving the person you knew before their addiction began is painful, but in grief, reaching out pays dividends that turning inward cannot match.

Marriage

10 Ways to Keep a Marriage Strong

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on January 9, 2023

Relationship satisfaction follows a pattern in terms of highs and lows, but these 10 practices may help minimize the downslides as well as maximize the upswings.

Relationship satisfaction follows a pattern in terms of highs and lows, but these 10 practices may help minimize the downslides as well as maximize the upswings.

Narcissism

5 Ways to Deal With Narcissists at Celebrations and Holidays

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on January 3, 2023

Narcissists and celebrations are a toxic mix. From being at a party to giving someone a gift, narcissists find ways to poison even the most celebratory moments in others' lives.

Narcissists and celebrations are a toxic mix. From being at a party to giving someone a gift, narcissists find ways to poison even the most celebratory moments in others' lives.

Loneliness

7 Ways to Combat Holiday Loneliness

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on December 15, 2022

It's not unusual to get the holiday blues, but if loneliness becomes a concern you want to address, here are seven ways to combat it.

It's not unusual to get the holiday blues, but if loneliness becomes a concern you want to address, here are seven ways to combat it.

Gaslighting

Why Gaslighting Behavior Is a Sign of Weakness

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on December 9, 2022

Gaslighters stop at nothing to maintain control, so remind yourself that you have the inner strength needed to end the unhealthy relationship.

Gaslighters stop at nothing to maintain control, so remind yourself that you have the inner strength needed to end the unhealthy relationship.

Stress

Heartbreaking Holidays: Broken Heart Syndrome Is Real

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on December 2, 2022

Broken heart syndrome and holiday heart can mimic heart attacks. Don't wait for either of these to happen before deciding it's time to learn how to better manage stress.

Broken heart syndrome and holiday heart can mimic heart attacks. Don't wait for either of these to happen before deciding it's time to learn how to better manage stress.

Grief

Working Through Grief During the Holidays

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on November 29, 2022

Losing someone you care about is never easy, but the holidays can be especially challenging when you're grieving a significant loss.

Losing someone you care about is never easy, but the holidays can be especially challenging when you're grieving a significant loss.