The first time I truly encountered grief was as I stood on that riverbank, watching rescue workers search for my son underwater. I then lost both my son and daughter to a rare neurodegenerative condition within 6 years of each other; all three losses occurred..
Reflecting on my clinical practice and the evolving landscape of mental health, I’ve noticed an increasing trend that deeply concerns me: the self-diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among adults. This trend, largely propelled by marketing campaigns and online..
Grief is an unwelcome visitor that alters the landscape of our lives with its profound presence. It carries an intense emotion that can feel insurmountable, leaving us in the depths of despair, thinking “nothing matters.” I’ve uttered those words more times than I can count,..
Behavioral change is a complex process that goes beyond sheer willpower and motivation. It involves a deep understanding of our neurobiological makeup and the patience to nurture new behaviors while phasing out old ones. The Power of Negative Thoughts We often set goals and then..
As a mental health professional, I often emphasize the importance of confronting past traumas. Recently, I embarked on a deeply personal and transformative journey with my childhood friend, Angie, to her childhood home in Puerto Rico, a place steeped in her traumatic memories. Facing the..
In my journey as a psychiatric nurse practitioner and, more poignantly, as a grieving mother, I have encountered many well-meaning but misplaced attempts at consolation. Grieving the loss of a child is a profoundly personal and painful experience, and the words chosen to address it..
In the realm of grief and loss, there is a unique and complex type called anticipatory grief. It’s a mixture of pain and preparation, a blend of sorrow and foresight that often accompanies the impending loss of a loved one. As a psychiatric nurse practitioner..
As I sit here on the two-year anniversary of my daughter’s passing, a painful truth echoes in my mind: no one is going to rescue us from our pain. This realization, as harsh as it sounds, is a cornerstone of my journey and my teachings…
Hello, I’m Cristi Bundukamara, and today, I want to share my deeply personal journey through grief and how I’ve managed to turn my pain into purpose. I recently received a request to discuss the concept of fight or flight in the context of grief, and..
Hello, I’m Cristi Bundukamara, and today, I want to share with you a deeply personal experience that has shaped my life profoundly – the death anniversary of my beloved son, Reggie. As I recount this painful journey, I hope to offer you three essential tips..