by Wendy Hoke | Aug 30, 2023 | ACEs, Childhood Sexual Abuse, Complex PTSD Healing, CPTSD, CPTSD and PTSD, CPTSD Survivor Stories, Emotional Flashbacks, PTSD, Symptoms of CPTSD, Trauma, Trauma-Informed
I often find myself caught between two feelings. The first is the instinct to correct and clarify when someone misuses a term associated with my experience. The second is the desire to be understanding and non-judgmental. After all, everyone’s trauma is valid, no...
by Rebekah Brown | Aug 16, 2023 | Abandonment and CPTSD, ACEs, Complex PTSD Healing, CPTSD, CPTSD and Narcissistic Abuse, Guest Contributor, Trauma
Meaning—What does the loss & its impact say about me? I sat on the back porch of our custom-built little house in the backwoods of Virginia. I had everything I’d ever dreamed of except for one thing. A life. I thought I’d be free. Instead, I was drowning in...
by Julie Faruba | Jul 4, 2023 | Brain Chemistry, Core Beliefs, CPTSD, CPTSD and PTSD, CPTSD Survivor Stories, Dissociation and CPTSD, Guest Contributor, PTSD, The Brain and CPTSD, Trauma
In a little over a week, I and the (mental) health director of the Jeffry Stijn Foundation for Mental Health and Patient Advocacy, will be attending the 34th Annual Boston International Trauma Conference virtually. A few days ago I decided to read Bessel van der...
by Cyndi Bennett | Jun 30, 2023 | ACEs, CPTSD, CPTSD and PTSD, Guest Contributor, PTSD, Trauma
Trauma is a word or a concept that does not resonate with everyone. This is especially true for those of the older generation. Many in the older generations, like my mother’s age (70’s and above), say things like, “That was just life…it was what it was,” and that is...
by Robyn Brickel | Jun 13, 2023 | Guest Contributor, Trauma, Trauma-Informed
Do you judge yourself? Do you judge others? Do you find yourself critically responding (out loud, or in your mind) with demeaning or derogatory statements when you have a thought or notice a feeling? Or when you see someone taking an action or having a dialogue with...
by Madelon Wise | May 19, 2023 | CPTSD Survivor Stories, Guest Contributor, Relationships, Shame, Toxic Relationships, Trauma, Trust
I was 19 years old, barely out of high school, and trauma had eaten away at my psyche like burning frostbite. Colorado to Alaska, Alaska to Iowa. Iowa to Montana, Montana to Colorado, Colorado to Iowa. Wherever he went, my dog, Abraxas, and I followed. In January...
