CPTSD/Trauma/etc

[leavingorganon]

Here are some good online resources for CPTSD: 

 

https://www.outofthestorm.website

 

https://www.havoca.org

 

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I'm curious to know what this community thinks of the subjects of trauma, emotional/narcissistic abuse, and CPTSD. 

 

I've been reading some of Pete Walker's work and it's been absolutely helpful in my journey to rely less and less on psychiatric meds. 

 

I found this particular article useful to deal with Emotional Feedback (i.e. emotional spiral in this community's parlance). Specifically the table at the end with the 13 steps to deal with the flashback. 

Edited November 15 by getofflex
added some links for online CPTSD support

[Marian]

Hey, thanks for the article. I struggle with complex ptsd, i believe. I have some childhood trauma, but more adult trauma in a narcissistic relationship. Also the medication, treatment and withdrawal (psychosis) caused a trauma in itself. Still have all the symptoms, but Pete Walker was useful for me too! 

 

How are you doing now?  

[hayduke]

Resonates here.

 

When I was drugged I was the 'sick one' in my family and it was all said to be genetic!  ***ed for life, poor hayduke, tut tut, how sad.  How convenient for everyone else.

 

The reality that has been emerging in part looks like trauma from being sexually abused as a small child, raped in early 20s, narcissistic traits in one parent and serious dysfunction in the other.  I am pretty sure there is intergenerational trauma in play which I'd like to learn more about.

 

I now have a useful working diagnosis of C-PTSD and am well on my way out of the quicksand I was left for dead in, healing, with a lot more wisdom about how to steer clear of toxic people.

 

Bessel van der Kolk's The Body Keeps the Score is a key work worth mentioning.

 

 

[getofflex]

Yes, I have CPTSD.  I had a malignant narcissistic mother who abused me physically and mentally, and was neglectful.  There was some very twisted psychological abuse.  She turned my 3 siblings against me in early adulthood even.  I believe this caused me anxiety and depression, and this is why I was put on drugs.  I believe that if I had received the proper help and support, I wouldn't have needed drugs.  In the 1980's, when I was seeking help, little was known about narcissism and CPTSD.  I'm glad there is more awareness about this. 

 

I believe that if we are in the throes of WD, it probably better to avoid digging up past trauma, but if the narcissist or whoever is still wreaking havoc in your life, (which mine were), it has to be dealt with.  Things in my family were sort of tolerable in the recent years, but once the COVID lockdown hit, the narcissistic insanity flared up again.  

Edited November 15 by getofflex

[hayduke]

12 hours ago, getofflex said:

I believe that if we are in the throes of WD, it probably better to avoid digging up past trauma, but if the narcissist or whoever is still wreaking havoc in your life, (which mine were), it has to be dealt with.  Things in my family were sort of tolerable in the recent years, but once the COVID lockdown hit, the narcissistic insanity flared up again.

 

That really resonates.  I was heavily into deep trauma work in the later stages of my wd and post wd.  I won't attempt that work at that phase next time.

[littlebird]

1 hour ago, hayduke said:

That really resonates.  I was heavily into deep trauma work in the later stages of my wd and post wd.  I won't attempt that work at that phase next time.

Kinda wishing I'd told my therapist that I wasn't up for delving so deeply into the trauma, but then again I tend to have a "how bad can it be, I'm tough" attitude and only realize in hindsight something was a bad idea. I have nothing to compare it to, but I have been wondering if the loop I was thrown for would have been so big if meds weren't changing? Live and learn, I guess! 

[hayduke]

1 hour ago, littlebird said:

Kinda wishing I'd told my therapist that I wasn't up for delving so deeply into the trauma, but then again I tend to have a "how bad can it be, I'm tough" attitude and only realize in hindsight something was a bad idea. I have nothing to compare it to, but I have been wondering if the loop I was thrown for would have been so big if meds weren't changing? Live and learn, I guess! 

 

Yeah there has to be a balance.  I wouldn't have been able to do my major healing with EMDR if I hadn't been tapering at the time.  I think that portion was really helpful.

 

Later in wds and after I think I got overambitious with trying to make a timeline of adverse events.  It was so triggering.  It makes sense to me now that not giving myself constant flashbacks will be the way forward the next time.  Reading Pete Walker's CPTSD Handbook has helped with that perspective.