Trauma-Informed Blog
New content weekly! Survivor Stories, Research Articles, Poetry, and more written by clinicians, coaches, survivors, and mental health professionals.
Remember...
Important Information About Our Content
Everything you find on this blog, CPTSDfoundation.org, or within our wider digital communities is created for educational and informational use only. No content shared here—whether by our staff or guest contributors—is intended to supersede or replace the clinical relationship you have with your medical or mental health providers. We are here to support your journey with information, but we do not provide medical advice or treatment. Guest opinions are their own and may not represent the views of CPTSD Foundation. Privacy Policy and Full Site Disclaimer, Terms of Service.
Ready, Not Reckless: Death Anxiety Through a Trauma Lens
A field-grounded explanation of why many trauma survivors aren’t afraid of death itself but of dying, loss of control, and lifelong exhaustion—plus practical ways to lower nervous-system load without pathologizing the “ready but not suicidal” stance.
12 Ways to Take Charge of Your Stress Levels: Easy Steps to Manage A less Stressful Life
What is stress? Stress can be defined as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Stress is a natural human response that prompts us to address...
When a Single Sip Keeps You Awake
I have never been a drinker. Most people assume that means I didn’t like the taste or that I grew up in a strict household. The truth is simpler and more human. I was adopted at birth and raised...
How To Challenge Negative Thoughts: 5 Simple Ways to a more Positive Way of Thinking
Humans are busy, and our minds are constantly playing tag with knowledge and new inputs. We are bombarded with information overload every day, but sometimes we tune out the noise, and our minds...
Using God for Control (The Subtlety of Neglect)
An Ideal, God-Loving Family Trigger Warning: This post discusses religious trauma and its impact on mental health. It may be distressing for readers who have experienced harm in religious or...
Developmental Trauma – What is it? An explanation in six parts.
The Atmosphere of Developmental Trauma I froze. Even at four-years-old, I knew that danger lurked behind every corner. My home, a minefield of attack, never rested. Each day began as a slow burn,...
When the Past Returns: Trauma and Dementia
What Is Dementia? Dementia is not a single disease but rather an umbrella term for a decline in cognitive functioning severe enough to interfere with daily life. It may affect memory, language,...
When the Body Keeps Score, but Blames the Mother
Why survivors of childhood sexual abuse sometimes blame nonoffending mothers: the biology of early attachment, how somatic memory misassigns responsibility, and ethical guidance for repair.
Echoes in the Rain: You Can Only Get As Wet As Your Skin
A grey day, followed by a dark night. There was no sunshine here. It was like the sun forgot to extend its rays to this damp place. It was always gloomy and unwelcoming. Nobody smiled and said...
The Hidden Legacy of Relational Trauma: Breaking Free from Codependency and Complex PTSD
Childhood interpersonal relationships set the stage for toxic patterns like codependency—experiences that echo and intensify those childhood violations of safety and worth. Understanding this link to codependency is a core part of CPTSD recovery.
The Penn State Survey–Wow, 319, Really? Hold My Beer!
On October 15th, 2025, researchers at Penn State posted a survey about CPTSD and ACES scores. They wanted 3,000 respondents to the survey. I'm wondering how long it took them to get the full...
There is Life After Hidden Abuse
Writer’s Note: I previously wrote about my experience being a victim of psychological abuse. Two years from my first writing, I find myself in a much better place in my recovery, and I want to...
What is Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
“Complex PTSD comes in response to chronic traumatization over the course of months or, more often, years. This can include emotional, physical, and/or sexual abuses, domestic violence, living in a war zone, being held captive, human trafficking, and other organized rings of abuse, and more. While there are exceptional circumstances where adults develop C-PTSD, it is most often seen in those whose trauma occurred in childhood”.
