Comments on: Mindfulness for Healing from Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

By: Bill

Bill — Tue, 14 May 2024 00:04:46 +0000

Because of your article I am going to try and help my ptsd with mindfulness thinking. I have been on many drugs for years. I have alienated my family and friends. My anxiety erodes me to the core. Every muted thought is pain. I try to hide from everything even myself.

By: Jonathan Baker

Jonathan Baker — Wed, 21 Dec 2022 22:02:19 +0000

In reply to R.

I agree with the above comments. For me (I have CPTSD), meditation has not been re-traumatizing. But it hasn’t helped, either. And I tried for 15 years. In fact, efforts to become mindful and the perpetual advice that I should be more mindful failed to take into account that, as a person who is constantly scanning my environment for threats, telling me to be “more in the moment” is kind of useless. My mind is very in the moment, while my body and subconscious are living out old traumas and think they’re happening “right now.” For me, things like cold therapy and breath work have been more healing. I do think it’s a shame that this article is on the cptsd foundation website, but doesn’t acknowledge that CPTSD survivors aren’t necessarily as susceptible to the healing that meditation provides to other people who aren’t constantly on high alert.

By: Chandrika

Chandrika — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 09:47:34 +0000

Ive benifitted immensely from mindfulness ttherefore i feel great pity for people who reject it without giving it a chance

By: R

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 20:25:17 +0000

In reply to Shirley Davis. Over a year old article, but I'll add that this article does not mention anything about some people may struggle with mindfulness, which is why the commenter said that. If you want to truly acknowledge that some people may risk re-traumatization with mindfulness if not done with care, then please edit your article.

By: Nancy R.

Nancy R. — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 16:23:23 +0000

Thank you for this piece and for the insights you so carefully explain. As a mental health professional who has healed from significant traumas I can attest to the power that is both derived from within as well as from above. As souls who are having a human experience that brings much confusion, disappointment and distrust, we hold the power to our healing. Mindfulness is just one piece of the process. Before we can tap into the power of mindfulness we will need to go through the process of seeing ourselves for who and what we truly are. Beautiful, vibrant souls covered in the muck and mire of our experiences. Trauma rewires our minds and it unconsciously works against us because of the distorted patterns that manifest within us. I had to do the work over periods of time, I call this “healing the layers as they come,” before I could bring myself to the practice of mindfulness. For me, yoga has been the spark that set my interest in mindfulness. My history of trauma dulled my senses to the point that my olfactory would shut down and I’d go into numbness mode when triggered. Everyone heals according to their own process as they are able to understand and receive healing. We all have our innate action/reaction. We all get to choose when and how to heal. Thank you once again for sharing a well written article. Be well <3

By: Shirley Davis

Shirley Davis — Sun, 17 Jan 2021 13:40:10 +0000

In reply to Judy. I hope you did not feel we were being disrespectful with this post. It was not meant for that. Many people do find mindfulness etc. helpful but like a good friend once told me, you cannot put everybody in a box because we are all different. I have a dissociative disorder as well (dissociative identity disorder) and understand what you mean when you speak of dissociating and having problems coming back. This blog is meant to share information to help people cope with CPTSD and we believe you, my friend, when you say you don't find mindfulness helpful. Thank you for your comment and for being honest about how you feel. Shirley

By: Judy

Judy — Sat, 16 Jan 2021 23:14:33 +0000

I have complex PTSD. I have had people cramming “meditation” “mindfulness” and “guided imagery” down my throat for more than 30 years. At first I didn’t understand what those terms even meant. But they kept saying “trust me; this will help you so much.” What’s helpful about something that triggers anxiety to the point you feel like you can’t breathe? What’s helpful about feeling out of control when you dissociate badly and have trouble coming back? What’s so helpful about someone not bothering to ask where some of the trauma may have taken place…because much of it was in a beautiful mountain forest. And they don’t tell you they’re guiding you to a beautiful mountain forest…down the vividly described path where you experienced some of the worst trauma of your life when you were just two years old. “Trust me?” We come too broken to trust. At least give people the respect to ask how they feel about situations like that without springing it on them. And if they say, “That isn’t a safe thing for me to do,” BELIEVE THEM! Don’t keep saying you just need to practice. Don’t say “TRUST ME.” I have been re-traumatized by this sort of thing. I didn’t deserve that when I was desperately asking for help. I don’t understand why no one seems to explain that “Some people may not find this helpful. Some may even find it extremely distressing.” Why can’t you help us instead of causing more trauma? Don’t you even think??? Don’t assume you know more than the person with PTSD. Be respectful.