Glossary
Many people spend years experiencing emotional overwhelm, survival mode, unhealthy relationship dynamics or burnout without having the language to fully understand what they are feeling. This space is designed to make common emotional wellbeing, trauma and relationship-related terms feel clearer, more accessible and less intimidating - creating understanding without judgement or pressure.
Support & Understanding
Words You Might Be Hearing For The First Time
Some experiences can leave people feeling confused, emotionally overwhelmed or unsure how to describe what they are going through. This glossary is designed to explain common trauma, relationship and emotional wellbeing terms in a simple, accessible and emotionally grounded way - helping people better understand their experiences, emotions and nervous system responses without judgement or overwhelming clinical language.
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Common Terms
The Language Around Trauma, Emotional Wellbeing & Relationships
Attachment Styles
Patterns in the way people connect, communicate and respond emotionally in relationships, often shaped by early experiences and emotional safety
Boundaries
Emotional, mental or physical limits that help protect wellbeing, safety, energy and self-respect
Burnout
Physical, emotional and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, overwhelm, pressure or emotional strain
Coercive Control
A pattern of behaviour used to dominate intimidate or emotionally control another person over time through fear, pressure, isolation or manipulation
Dissociation
A feeling of emotional disconnection from yourself, your emotions, surroundings or reality, often linked to overwhelm or trauma
Emotional Dysregulation
Difficulty managing emotional reactions, especially during stress, overwhelm, rejection or emotional pressure
Emotional Flashbacks
Sudden emotional reactions linked to past experiences, where the nervous system responds as though old emotional pain or fear is happening again in the present
Emotional Invalidation
Having emotions dismissed, minimised, mocked or ignored in ways that make someone feel misunderstood or emotionally unsafe
Emotional Overwhelm
A state where emotions, stress, sensory input or pressure become difficult to process or manage comfortably
Emotional Regulation
The ability to recognise, process and manage emotional responses in a healthy and supportive way
Emotional Safety
The feeling of being emotionally respected, accepted and able to express yourself without fear, intimidation or judgement
Emotional Shutdown
A protective response where someone emotionally withdraws, disconnects or becomes numb during overwhelm, stress or emotional pressure
Fawn Response
A trauma response involving people pleasing, conflict avoidance or prioritising people’s needs in order to feel emotionally safer
Fawning
A trauma response involving appeasing, please or prioritising others in order to reduce conflict, fear or emotional danger
Fight, Flight, Freeze
Common nervous system survival responses activated during stress, fear, overwhelm or perceived danger
Gaslighting
A form of emotional manipulation that causes someone to question their memory, feelings, reality or understanding of situations
Hypervigilence
A state of heightened alertness where the nervous system constantly scans for stress, danger, conflict or emotional threat
Love Bombing
Excessive attention, affection or reassurance used to quickly create emotional attachment, sometimes as part of manipulative relationship dynamics
Masking
Hiding or suppressing emotions, behaviours or traits in order to appear more socially accepted or to cope in certain environments
Masking Fatigue
Emotional and physical exhaustion caused by constantly hiding struggles, emotions or neurodivergent traits in order to cope socially or professionally
Nervous System Overload
A state where stress, emotions, pressure or sensory input become too overwhelming for the nervous system to process
Nervous System Regulation
Supporting the mind and body to feel calmer, safer and more emotionally balanced after stress or overwhelm
Neurodivergence
A term used to describe people whose brains process, learn or experience the world differently, including conditions such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia and other neurological differences
People Pleasing
A pattern of prioritising other people’s comfort, emotions or approval over your own needs, often link to fear of conflict, rejection or emotional unsafety
Rejection Sensitivity
Strong emotional reactions linked to perceived rejection, criticism, exclusion or feeling misunderstood
Safe Space
An environment or relationship where someone feels emotionally respected, supported and able to express themselves without fear of judgement or harm
Self-Worth
The internal sense of value, worthiness and self-respect a person feels about themselves
Sensory Input
Information the brain and nervous system receive through senses, such as sound, light, touch, movement, smells or busy environments. Too much sensory input can sometimes lead to overwhelm, anxiety, shutdown or difficulty concentrating
Survival Mode
A state where the nervous system focuses mainly on coping, staying safe or managing stress rather than rest, connection or emotional wellbeing
Trauma Bonding
A strong emotional attachment formed through cycles of emotional pain, inconsistency, hope and temporary moments of connection or relief
Trauma-Informed
An approach that recognises the impact trauma can have on emotions, behaviour, relationships and the nervous system, while prioritising emotional safety, compassion, choice and understanding
Walking On Eggshells
Feeling constantly cautious, anxious or hyper-aware of someone else’s moods, reactions or behaviour to avoid conflict or emotional consequences
Window of Tolerance
The emotional range where someone is able to cope, process, emotions and function without becoming overwhelmed or shut down
Further Support
You Don't Have To Navigate Everything Alone
Understanding your experiences and nervous system responses can be an important first step toward healing, self-awareness and emotional safety. Support, reflection and recovery do not need to happen perfectly and you do not have to figure everything out alone
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