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 […]
Direct Communication Is A Lifeline for Trauma Survivors
If you’ve ever told me something like, ‘We need to talk later,’ and then walked away, I can almost guarantee you’ve just activated my fight-or-flight system like it’s Black Friday at Best Buy. It’s not that I’m overreacting (though, okay, maybe a little); it’s just that, when you live with CPTSD, vague communication doesn’t merely […]
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 Emotional Resilience Mental Health Mindfulness Self-Awareness Self-Compassion Trauma Recovery Triggers
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.” […]
The Word That Haunted Me, And Why I’m Taking It Back
Words have power. Way more than most people realize. I mean, think about it, we grow up hearing certain words all the time. Please. Thank you. Sorry. Love. We’re told these are the magic ones. The ones that open doors and smooth over rough edges. And sure, most of the time, that’s true. But what […]