I recently came across a series of research articles focused on complex post traumatic stress disorder (complex PTSD or CPTSD) and the daily life experiences of those with the diagnosis and their relatives. As you…
When you support someone who has CPTSD, what do you call yourself? When you care about them and help them as best you can, what does that make you? Defining myself in relationship to being…
What do the loved ones of trauma survivors need? If you have been reading this blog for a while and you are a supporter, you probably have a list of needs. Maybe a long list.…
A few years ago, in the early part of seeking trauma support for my husband, I began to experience an unsettling feeling. It was kind of like a heavy wool blanket. The type that feels…
You are more than trauma. I couldn’t sleep. My mind ran restless laps around last week’s events. As much as I wanted to put it all behind me, my brain had other ideas. I lay…
My husband has developmental trauma and no one told me about it. After eight trauma therapists, three psychiatric assessments, four general practitioners, two big psychological breakdowns, many smaller breakdowns, three employment leaves, financial loss, one…
“What do you do for self-care?” It’s one of the first questions I am asked by other partners. While I know what works for me, my preferred activities may not be what works for you.…
I have recently had a couple of articles sent to me about how to help a survivor if you are in a close relationship. The articles were clear, thoughtful and with a good understanding of…
I was at my second appointment with my new therapist. She asked, “Do you think you have secondary trauma?” I paused and answered: “Yes.” An online search of ‘secondary trauma’ pulls up information for mental…
We Need Stronger Supports for the Families of Survivors with Complex PTSD One of the hardest things about supporting an adult with complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is the lack of support for the families. It’s…