In this powerful episode, I’m joined by 67-year-old Scott Schaeffer, whose journey through trauma, self-discovery, and resilience is one of the most impactful stories I've shared on the podcast. Scott’s life was shaped by severe physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his father, along with the struggle of growing up in a household where his mother couldn’t protect him or his siblings. Despite these challenges, Scott cultivated a strong, healthy marriage and chose to break the cycle of trauma in raising his daughter. With the guidance of a supportive psychotherapist, he began to identify with traits commonly associated with borderline personality disorder (BPD), which brought both clarity and healing.
Scott’s story is a testament to the power of self-awareness, the importance of emotional resilience, and the possibility of breaking generational trauma patterns. Whether you’re navigating family trauma, emotion dysregulation, or validation addiction, Scott’s insights and experiences will resonate deeply and offer hope.
In this episode, we explore:
- Scott’s path to realizing he needed help and how finding language for his experiences brought empowerment
- The impact of BPD traits, like “splitting” (black-and-white thinking), on relationships
- How validation addiction or approval-seeking can keep us stuck in self-destructive cycles
- The role of childhood trauma and abuse in shaping BPD traits and emotional sensitivity
- How Scott overcame the cycle of generational trauma in his own family
- Why men, especially cis-gendered heterosexual males, are less frequently diagnosed with BPD and how the medical model overlooks them
This episode is for anyone seeking to understand their own behaviors, heal from past traumas, or simply find encouragement in another’s resilience. Scott’s story shows that no matter your age or past experiences, it’s possible to find meaning, self-compassion, and peace.
Connect with Scott at https://www.usadogbehavior.com/.
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The information contained in this podcast episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment or consultation with a licensed mental health professional.
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