C-PTSD

[Kitsuna]

In the past two weeks, I’ve realized I likely have C-PTSD from both middle school bullying (I was regularly gossiped behind my back, according to several people at different times who felt the need to let me know what was going on- to someone’s credit, one of those people was one of the bullies and she apologized anonymously for what she and her friends did-, and teased to my face) and all the screwed up things my mother said to me when she was fed up with my shortcomings. It’s physically manifesting as a high resting heart rate and neurogenic tremors too.

To be completely honest, I was under the impression PTSD only was triggered by combat experience or something equally severe until very recently, so coming to terms with this is confusing. I’m currently reading The Body Keeps The Score to better understand the condition.

I think I’ve seen people state on here before that they unfortunately deal with C-PTSD as well.

Could anyone give advice on how to heal from this? Thanks!

 

[Raggamuffin]

Watch Tim Fletcher on YouTube

His channel has hundreds of hours of videos on CPTSD

Also Gabor Matè has many videos and interviews. He's also published many books.

Ed

 

[Xinyta]

It's okay. PTSD is commonly associated with war veterans, because it's the most commonly known way to get it. It hard to see it any other way. But yes, it's not something that is limited surviving war.

I cannot provide definitive help. But what I can say is to take it a day at a time. Accept that your C-PTSD isn't something that makes you lesser as a humanbeing. It's part of life experiences. Thus, you can learn from it. You are not alone and you don't have to suffer alone.

 

[MC1Rcat]

I have CPTSD and am currently in psychotherapy and see a psychiatrist. My dr told me that people with ASD have a higher rate of CPTSD, especially those who are late diagnosed ASD (like me). It is because children with ASD are more sensitive to their environment and they process things differently, and when parents/ caregivers do not understand how to properly deal with that, trauma can result. That was definitely the case with me, because I was not diagnosed until I was 50. I also grew up in a violent home, which is another reason I have CPTSD. I didn't start getting help for it until a couple of years ago, when I had a big health crisis which left me disabled. I started having major problems with depression and anxiety and began getting mental help. It was then that I was diagnosed with ASD 1 and CPTSD. By the way, there are a lot of similarities in the types of social problems that result from ASD and CPTSD. Sometimes people are misdiagnosed with one or the other.... but they also often coexist.

 

[Jonn]

In the past two weeks, I’ve realized I likely have C-PTSD from both middle school bullying

I have heard a number of ppl declare that part of Complex-PTSD is feeling guilty by what has happened.
Do you?

I have manageable PTSD.
I haven't researched C-PTSD, btw.

 

[Jonn]

By the way, there are a lot of similarities in the types of social problems that result from ASD and CPTSD. Sometimes people are misdiagnosed with one or the other.... but they also often coexist.

Ppl on the spectrum are plagued with comorbidities.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

Interesting findings: Activating the serotonin 2a receptors in the brain with certain psychedelics will "unlock the gating" mechanisms in the brain and allow the brain to eliminate the "fear responses" associated c-PTSD/PTSD. In doing so, allowing the person to confront their fears. Best done in a structured, safe environment, with a guide to walk you through the process.

It's also helped with substance abuse and confronting a terminal diagnosis.

The indigenous peoples of the world might call it a "spirit walk" and use psilocybin, peyote, ayahuasca, etc. In modern times, this therapy is best done in a psychologists office. Very powerful. One or two sessions are nearly 100% successful, as opposed to far less effective daily medications.

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/psychiatry/research/psychedelics-research

PTSD Study — Center for Psychedelic & Consciousness Research

 

[Kitsuna]

I have heard a number of ppl declare that part of Complex-PTSD is feeling guilty by what has happened.
Do you?

I have manageable PTSD.
I haven't researched C-PTSD, btw.

100%. As an adult I’m hypervigilant about either doing, or possibly doing, something socially off without realizing it was problematic (nothing bad, just awkward or etc in a way that’s weird to NTs). It goes beyond normal embarrassment avoidance.

 

[Rodafina]

@Kitsuna
I think the first step of dealing with trauma is to recognize, accept it, and start learning about it. So, well, done - you have already done these things.

So many people with long standing trauma benefit from the help of a mental health professional. Especially if you think that you have complex ptsd, then I would recommend finding a therapist. One good thing about trauma is that it is well researched and there are several different evidence based approaches to reduce trauma symptoms. You may have to be patient and find the one that helps you the most.

One therapy to investigate is EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) - it can sound and seem odd at first, but it is an approach to help people work through trauma. There is some info on it here: What is EMDR therapy and why is it used to treat PTSD?

 

[Aspychata]

This is a excellent post, asking for help is so difficult for me. I am definitely checking out @Raggamuffin 's suggestions. I went thru two years of battered women syndrome, and it was a difficult door to get thru and finally come out of. Good luck on this journey.

 

[Kitsuna]

I have a problem with asking for help too. It’s driven my parents crazy in the past.

I’ve already checked out Tim Fletcher’s videos and one resonated so much I was triggered (albeit half in a relieved way, because the silver lining was it was confirmation I finally was seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. This has been under diagnosed as GAD for years and nothing seemed to help so it has been getting worse.)

 

[Tuffsy]

I got PTSD from being bullied at school when I was 55 years old, I was a teacher! It caused me to have an almost successful suicide attempt. My Psychiatrist put me on drugs that made me feel like a zombie and it wasn't helping. My Psychologist suggested mindfulness and a book called The Happiness Trap by Dr Russ Harris. It took quite a few months but I was eventually able to accept my PTSD feelings and not let them affect me, although sometimes I still have bad dreams about the incident, 12 years later.