I write a lot about CPTSD, the facts, the symptoms, the definitions, and how it shows up in everyday life. And all of that matters. But lately, I’ve been thinking about how that’s only half of the picture. It’s one thing to explain what CPTSD is, but it’s another thing entirely to talk about what […]
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 […]
CPTSD and Dopamine: Why We Chase the Feel-Good Hit
The relationship between CPTSD and dopamine is complicated. Those of us who experienced childhood trauma missed out on so much, including the opportunity to experience safety, affection, and those natural feel-good moments without immediately wondering when something would go wrong. For us, the simple act of praise from a parent could even make us cautious. […]
When a Trigger Sneaks Up on You
Yesterday, I experienced something I hadn’t in a while: a trigger. It caught me off guard, and not in a dramatic, movie-scene way. It was quiet and sneaky, and I didn’t even realize it was happening until I was in the thick of it. Over the past few days, I’d been feeling a bit “off.” […]
Showing No Emotion Was A Survival Tool
Individuals who have experienced trauma and have cPTSD are often told that they lack empathy. Which isn’t the case at all. At least not for me. I think I’m capable of great empathy, but if I’m not in a good place or stressed out, I cut it off completely and go into no-emotion-survival mode. And […]
Navigating the Storm: Living with CPTSD
Living with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) is no walk in the park. Some days, it can feel like a constant storm raging inside, making it hard to navigate through life. And it’s not a sound you hear, but a psychological beat that never seems to stop. The constant buzz of feeling unworthy, unlovable, and […]