Let me start by saying something that might sound strange, I was named after the man who sexually abused me as a kid. And honestly? I never hated the name. That’s a hell of a sentence I never thought I’d be sharing at this point in my life, but here I am. That part always […]
When CPTSD and Discernment Become Tangled
For most of my life, I didn’t trust myself. Honestly, not really. I could read a room in seconds, crack a joke under pressure, or keep things calm while everything burned down behind my eyes, but ask me what I needed. Or whether someone’s behavior felt safe? I had no idea. I’d either panic and […]
Things I Thought Were Normal Until Therapy
I used to think I was just a guy with “quirks.” You know, overly cautious, emotionally avoidant, allergic to rest, suspicious of compliments, and constantly rehearsing conversations in my head like I was preparing for a deposition instead of a lunch date. Totally normal stuff… right? Turns out, no. Not really. Therapy has this sneaky […]
Trying to Heal, But Someone Hit Rewind
Let’s discuss the unexpected emotional kick to the gonads that happens when your past randomly pops up, like one of those meerkats coming up for air out of its burrow, right when you’re starting to feel the tiniest flicker of pride about how far you’ve come. Maybe someone brings it up in conversation, casually or […]
Childhood Sexual Abuse CPTSD Recovery Healing Journey Mental Health Survivor Stories Therapy & Healing Therapy and Support Trauma Recovery
Healing for Male Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Let’s just get this out of the way: being a man who was sexually abused as a child messes with your head in ways that are hard to explain, and harder to talk about. I’m no therapist. Or self-help guru. I’m just someone who’s lived it. And if you have, you know that this kind […]
Anxiety & Depression Healing Journey Mental Health Relationships & Attachment Self-Care Therapy & Healing Trauma
CPTSD vs Depression and Anxiety
It’s important to know that while CPTSD often comes with symptoms like depression and anxiety, it’s not exactly the same thing. A lot of people with CPTSD end up getting misdiagnosed with things like major depression, generalized anxiety, or even borderline personality disorder. That happens because CPTSD can look a lot like those conditions on […]