Nightmares, Night Terrors, And Scam Victim Trauma – 2024

Nightmares, Night Terrors, And Scam Victim Trauma

Helping Scam Victims Better Understand Their Trauma

Scam Victim Recovery Psychology

Authors:
• Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Psychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

Scam victims often find themselves haunted by nightmares and night terrors, grappling with the aftermath of betrayal and deception in the safety of their sleep.

These nocturnal disturbances serve as vivid manifestations of the trauma inflicted upon them, plunging them into a state of primal dread as they confront the specter of past experiences. Night terrors, characterized by intense fear and confusion, add another layer of complexity to the already fraught landscape of scam-related trauma, leaving victims disoriented and distressed upon awakening.

SCARS Editorial Team2024-03-16T07:06:15-04:00March 16th, 2024|Categories: • PSYCHOLOGY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, 2024, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD, Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych)|Tags: Night Terrors, Nightmares, PTSD, Scam Victims, Victim Trauma|

The Unique Injury Of Betrayal Trauma On Scam Victims – 2024

The Unique Injury Of Betrayal Trauma On Scam Victims

A Cornerstone of Relationship Scams & Essential to Scam Victim Recovery

Understanding Scam Victim Trauma – Recovery Psychology

Authors:
• Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Psychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

Betrayal trauma, often experienced in relationship scams like romance fraud, inflicts deep emotional wounds on victims. It involves a profound breach of trust by someone close, triggering intense emotional responses and brain alterations. Victims experience a rollercoaster of emotions—disbelief, anger, sadness, and shame.

The relational aspect sets it apart from other traumas, impacting trust and self-worth.

Betrayal trauma impairs various brain regions, including the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, mirror neuron system, insula, temporoparietal junction, and striatum.

Victims struggle with empathy, emotional regulation, and social perception. This trauma disrupts Read More …

SCARS Editorial Team2024-03-09T15:35:43-05:00March 9th, 2024|Categories: • PSYCHOLOGY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, 2024, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD, Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych)|Tags: Betrayal Trauma, Relationship Scams, Romance Scam, Scam Victims, Victim Trauma|

Trauma And Grief In Scam Victims – What Is The Difference Between Them – 2024

What Is The Difference Between Trauma And Grief?

Helping Scam Victims Understand the Importance of Trauma and How to Prioritize It

Authors:
• Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Psychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

This article’s discussion sheds light on the intricate nature of trauma, emphasizing its dual impact as both a psychological and physical injury. Trauma disrupts normal brain functioning, leading to cognitive, emotional, and memory disturbances, while also causing changes in brain structure and chemistry.

This psychological toll manifests in symptoms like hypervigilance and mood disturbances. Moreover, trauma elicits physical responses such as headaches and muscle tension, stemming from the body’s stress response mechanisms. Recognizing trauma’s multifaceted nature underscores the importance of holistic approaches to healing and recovery, addressing both psychological and Read More …

SCARS Editorial Team2024-03-06T21:35:56-05:00March 6th, 2024|Categories: • PSYCHOLOGY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, 2024, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD, Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych)|Tags: Recovery Process, Recovery Psychology, Scam Victims, Victim Grief, Victim Recovery, Victim Trauma|

Vulnerability and Breakdown in Scam Victims – The Camel’s Back Syndrome Metaphor – 2024

The Camel’s Back Syndrome

A Metaphor for Vulnerability and Breakdown in Scam Victims

The Psychology of Scams

Authors:
• Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Psychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

Article Abstract

The Camel’s Back Syndrome serves as a potent metaphor elucidating the vulnerabilities and collapse encountered by scam victims.

Capturing the gradual accumulation of stressors akin to straws on a camel’s back, it mirrors the incremental breakdown in victims’ psychological resilience during scams. Exploring this metaphor unveils the intricate process of scams, shedding light on the profound trauma post-discovery.

SCARS Editorial Team2024-01-07T07:12:35-05:00January 7th, 2024|Categories: • PSYCHOLOGY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, 2024, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD, Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych)|Tags: Breaking Point, Camel's Back Syndrome, Scam Victims, Victim Trauma, Vulnerability|

Fibromyalgia & Psychological Trauma Link – Medical Health Alert – 2023

Fibromyalgia & Psychological Trauma Link – Medical Health Alert

Author:
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

Connection Between Psychological Trauma And Fibromyalgia Is A Complex

The connection between psychological trauma and fibromyalgia is a complex and multifaceted one, with growing research suggesting a significant link between the two!

Trauma Recollection/Traumatic Flashbacks And Scam Victim PTSD – Recovery Psychology – 2023

Trauma Recollection/Traumatic Flashbacks

Understanding Scam Victim Trauma Recollection, Flashbacks, & Memories

Recovery Psychology

Authors:
• Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Psychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

Trauma Recollection/Traumatic Flashbacks Or Memories And The Effects That It Has On Scam Victims – PTSD And Recovery Psychology

Most Scam Victims Suffer from some form of Trauma, but for some, this can be the Retriggering of the Original Trauma Over and Over!

While flashbacks are a well-known symptom of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), it’s not the only way trauma can manifest itself – they can also be Trauma Recollection.

Scam victims can certainly re-experience their trauma simply by remembering the crime without meeting the full criteria for PTSD.

Scam Victim Empathy – How It Is Lost And How It Comes Back In Time – Recovery Psychology 2023

Scam Victim Empathy

How It Is Lost And How It Comes Back In Time

Recovery Psychology

Authors:
• Vianey Gonzalez – Psychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

Most Scam Victims Lose Their Empathy When Trauma Sets In – Usually Immediately Following The End Of The Scam/Fraud

But it does come back in time!

Empathy is an elusive thing for scam victims. Right after the scam, the amygdala is hyperactivated and as a result, shuts down many other parts of the brain, this also includes most of your empathy.

SCARS Editorial Team2023-12-13T13:59:01-05:00November 27th, 2023|Categories: Tim McGuinness PhD, • FEATURED ARTICLE, • PSYCHOLOGY, 2023, ARTICLE, Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych)|Tags: Recovery Psychology, Scam Victims, Trauma, Victim Empathy, Victim Trauma|