One of the sneakiest things about living with CPTSD or carrying trauma is how we slowly build a sky-high tolerance for emotional pain, and don’t even realize we’re doing it. It becomes second nature, like breathing. At first, we tell ourselves we’re strong, tough, resilient, and yes, all those things are true. Those words aren’t […]
Meditation with CPTSD: More Chaos Than Calm, But I Tried
I’m all for trying new things, and a few years ago I began looking into the Kadampa Meditation Center here in New York. I actually love the idea of it. Sit quietly, breathe deeply, reach enlightenment, and find your Zen. Who wouldn’t want that? However, I just didn’t realize how difficult it would be for […]
Surviving the Day: Coping with Allergies and CPTSD
Ever have one of those days where nothing’s technically wrong, but everything just feels off? Like, you’re not sure what’s happening, but something’s misaligned, and you can’t quite put your finger on it? Yeah, that’s me today. I’m dealing with this allergy attack that came out of nowhere, like an uninvited guest at a party. […]
Hyper-Empathy: The Unwanted Superpower
Let’s talk about one of the lesser-known side effects of living with CPTSD, hyper-empathy. If you’ve ever walked into a room and instantly felt like you just downloaded everyone’s emotional data through some invisible trauma-powered Bluetooth, congratulations! You might be a hyper-empath. Or a sponge. Same difference. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Wait, so […]
Parenting with CPTSD: Send Snacks and Backup
Being a dad with CPTSD feels like starring in your own personal three-ring circus, except, of course, it’s not just a circus. It’s a high-stakes act with no safety net, and the crowd is loud and relentless. And when your daughter is soon to be 16? Well, now the lion’s escaped, chasing the lioness, while […]
CPTSD Triggers: What They Are and How to Handle Them
Let’s talk triggers. If you’ve ever felt like you’re losing your grip in a situation that seems harmless to everyone else, you’re not alone. CPTSD triggers can sneak up on you from all directions, both inside your head and from the world around you. The thing is, these triggers don’t always make sense, and that […]
