Medens Health

Understanding Trauma Bonding

When you think about strong emotional bonds, you might picture deep love, loyalty, and trust. Unfortunately, these intense connections can also be built on cycles of mistreatment. This is the reality of trauma bonding—a psychological attachment that forms in toxic relationships, keeping people trapped in harmful dynamics.

Erin Kerns Vazquez

March 13, 2025

What to Do When You’re Being Invalidated

Have you ever opened up about something important to you, only to hear “You’re too sensitive,” “That’s not a big deal,” or “You’re overreacting”? If so, you’ve experienced invalidation—when someone dismisses, minimizes, or rejects your feelings instead of acknowledging them.

Erin Kerns Vazquez

February 27, 2025

Living on the Outside: When Someone Cuts You Out of Their Life

Few things are as painful and confusing as realizing someone you care about has cut you out of their life. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or romantic partner, being shut out with little or no explanation can leave you feeling lost, hurt, and searching for answers.

Erin Kerns Vazquez

February 20, 2025

Understanding Rejection Sensitivity and RSD

Rejection is something we all experience at different points in our lives. Whether it's a failed job application, unreciprocated romantic feelings, or criticism from a colleague, rejection is part of being human. For some people, however, the fear of rejection feels far more intense and can significantly affect their emotional well-being and relationships.

Erin Kerns Vazquez

October 31, 2024

Are You Conflict Avoidant?

Conflict is a natural part of life, but for many people, the idea of confronting it head-on can feel uncomfortable (or even terrifying!). Instead of addressing disagreements or difficult conversations, they avoid them altogether—often with the hope that the issue will simply go away.

Erin Kerns Vazquez

October 24, 2024

Understanding Gaslighting

Gaslighting is a form of emotional manipulation where one person tries to make another question their reality, leading to confusion, self-doubt, and emotional distress. Whether it happens in a romantic relationship, in a friendship, at work, or even within families, gaslighting can cause significant harm to a person’s mental well-being.

Erin Kerns Vazquez

October 17, 2024

How to Stop Worrying That Everyone Is Mad At You

When someone acts a little differently towards you, do you immediately worry that they’re mad at you? Does your brain frantically scramble to review your recent interactions, searching for any offenses you might have committed? If so, you’re not alone.

Erin Kerns Vazquez

August 1, 2024

How to Fight With Your Partner

Disagreements are inevitable in any relationship - they’re part of sharing your life with another person. It's not the absence of conflict that determines the health of a relationship, but how that conflict is handled. It can be difficult to argue constructively, especially if your feelings are hurt and emotions are running high, but there are language and tactics you can work on incorporating to help your arguments strengthen your bond rather than weaken it.

Erin Kerns Vazquez

March 14, 2024