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Complex PTSD
Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving: A Guide and Map for Recovering from Childhood Trauma | Pete Walker
I have Complex PTSD [Cptsd] and wrote this book from the perspective of someone who has experienced a great reduction of symptoms over the years. I also wrote it from the viewpoint of someone who has discovered many silver linings in the long, windy, bumpy road of recovering from Cptsd. I felt encouraged to write this book because of thousands of e-mail responses to the articles on my website that repeatedly expressed gratitude for the helpfulness of my work. An often echoed comment sounded like this: At last someone gets it. I can see now that I am not bad, defective or crazyor alone! The causes of Cptsd range from severe neglect to monstrous abuse. Many survivors grow up in houses that are not homes in families that are as loveless as orphanages and sometimes as dangerous. If you felt unwanted, unliked, rejected, hated and/or despised for a lengthy portion of your childhood, trauma may be deeply engrained in your mind, soul and body. This book is a practical, user-friendly self-help guide to recovering from the lingering effects of childhood trauma, and to achieving a rich and fulfilling life. It is copiously illustrated with examples of my own and my clients' journeys of recovering. This book is also for those who do not have Cptsd but want to understand and help a loved one who does. This book also contains an overview of the tasks of recovering and a great many practical tools and techniques for recovering from childhood trauma. It extensively elaborates on all the recovery concepts explained on my website, and many more. However, unlike the articles on my website, it is oriented toward the layperson. As such, much of the psychological jargon and dense concentration of concepts in the website articles has been replaced with expanded and easier to follow explanations. Moreover, many principles that were only sketched out in the articles are explained in much greater detail. A great deal of new material is also explored. Key concepts of the book include managing emotional flashbacks, understanding the four different types of trauma survivors, differentiating the outer critic from the inner critic, healing the abandonment depression that come from emotional abandonment and self-abandonment, self-reparenting and reparenting by committee, and deconstructing the hierarchy of self-injuring responses that childhood trauma forces survivors to adopt. The book also functions as a map to help you understand the somewhat linear progression of recovery, to help you identify what you have already accomplished, and to help you figure out what is best to work on and prioritize now. This in turn also serves to help you identify the signs of your recovery and to develop reasonable expectations about the rate of your recovery. I hope this map will guide you to heal in a way that helps you to become an unflinching source of kindness and self-compassion for yourself, and that out of that journey you will find at least one other human being who will reciprocally love you well enough in that way.
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sophierayton
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Wow! This is it! C-PTSD is still a relatively 'new' and unheard of ailment. Many people who suffer with it are left bobbing around various diagnoses and feeling even more broken for not fitting into any of them properly. If you've had a bad childhood - read this book. It might clear up a lot of things about why you are the way you are.

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MarkoPDX
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I am calm, I am serene.

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BookishFeminist
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#UniqueFact I've had crippling anxiety most of my life & despite loving books, I was never able to finish them bc I was unable to focus & constantly triggered. Two years ago it was so bad I was reassessed & finally diagnosed w/complex PTSD & panic disorder, which explained a lot. I've been taking time off for treatment & I'm now the closest to stable I've ever been. Best part—I can read now!!! I fly through books & they've become my therapy. 📚❤️

mauveandrosysky That's amazing! So proud of you and happy for you for doing whatever it takes to get better. I know that can be an intimidating, treacherous journey...so much harder than people think. 💛 8y
Biljana Well done! Sending hugs and love ❤️ 8y
See All 68 Comments
maximoffs Proud of you ❤️❤️❤️ 8y
Eyelit 👏💜 8y
shawnmooney Wow, what an incredible journey. Sending heaps of awe and respect and a great big gay hug or two' 💕💕💕 8y
NatalieR Awesome! Way to go! 💖 8y
ReadingEnvy So glad you are doing better 👍🎉🤗 8y
StephBengtson That's amazing! Keep up the good work! 🙌🏼 8y
Broke_Girl_Reads So glad you've found treatment that helps. Self care is hard work and you deserve to be proud! ❤️ 8y
Alicia That is amazing! Stories like this are what gives so many people hope for recovery and wellness. Thank you for sharing. 8y
BookMusings Awesome! And 100 books this year! 👍👍🎉🎉👍👍 8y
CherylDeFranceschi Wow! Go you! So fantastic to find a way to channel! You. Are. Awesome. 8y
FernsAndFairyTales Good for you!!! Thank you for sharing this with us, and I'm sending lots of love your way! 8y
kammartinez Huzzah for finding stability! I hope things keep going well for you and that the books you find along the way keep you in good company :Dz 8y
mllemay That must be such a relief, getting a proper diagnosis and finally being able to read the way you want to!! Sending you all the well wishes! 8y
JSW 😘❤️❤️❤️❤️ 8y
TheWellReadOwl That's quite a journey! So glad to hear you are doing so well. 😊 8y
Notafraidofwords @mllemay I second this. A proper diagnosis and a plan of action is everything. Thanks for sharing ! 8y
beccaeve That is so wonderful! Thank you for sharing. It's encouraging. 8y
Onioons Thank you for being a cornerstone of our little litsy community here! 8y
abbiereadsbooks Congratulations on your progress! I've had generalized anxiety disorder since I was a teen, and I face similar problems at times. It's always encouraging to hear other people's stories of progress and success! 8y
LeahBergen I, too, have lived with anxiety and panic disorder throughout my adult life. It is so important to talk about this and mental health in general. You're awesome and big hugs! ❤️ 8y
AbstractMonica ❤️❤️❤️ 8y
Trav Thank you for sharing this Sarah and I'm so proud of you and the progress you've made to get where you are. I can completely relate with everything you've said -- I had the same issue with books but also movies and watching the news, it's not a nice feeling. Again, super proud of you and sending lots of virtual hugs your way Wonder Woman! 8y
ultrabookgeek It can be so freeing to ask for help sometimes! Thanks for sharing. I bet a lot of bookish people's can relate. 8y
subwayreads Thanks for sharing. I also have really bad anxiety- "generalized anxiety disorder." Books actually help me calm down because I get out of my head. 8y
subwayreads Thanks for sharing! Self care is so important & every time someone brave likes you shares their story, it gives hope to others. I also have bad anxiety - generalized anxiety disorder. It makes living in NYC hard; I'm particular anxious in closed / underground spaces, but reading on the subway helps me forget where I am. (Also lots of therapy and a good pill!) 8y
Chessa Thank you for sharing your journey with us. You totally kick ass! So glad you found treatment that was helpful for you. And yay, books! ❤️📚🤘 8y
subwayreads Thanks so much for sharing. Every time someone brave like you shares, it gives so much hope and encouragement to others. I have bad GAD, and therapy makes it better, but also people like you who make me feel less alone :) 8y
Theresa 😯😥😅😄😄😄👏👏👏❤️ 8y
Gezemice It is great to hear that you were able to learn to cope and can read! My daughter has crippling anxiety, so I am familiar with the toll it takes. Keep up the work and the reading! 🤓🤗 8y
Varshitha Lots of love and hugs to you💕.. Good to hear reading helps.. Keep reading🤓 8y
TheSpinecrackersBookClub An amazing and inspiring story. Thanks for sharing. 8y
Yamich49 ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 8y
JPeterson ❤️📖❤️ 8y
Sue Thank you for sharing! I'm so glad you got a proper diagnosis and a treatment plan that is working for you. Big Aussie hugs ❤️ 8y
quirkyreader Reading is the best therapy. Good luck with future treatments. 🐸🐙 8y
gibblr This is really interesting to me because my mom used to devour a book a day. However, since she's been going through a lot of medical stuff and has developed some anxiety because of it, she hasn't been able to really read. It's interesting to know that this happens to others as well. Thank you for sharing. 8y
ValerieAndBooks Hugs to you and thanks for sharing 💖 ! 8y
sparklemotion I'm glad you are getting better! Sending you hugs and good vibes 💕 I struggle with anxiety too and it sucks (understatement). 8y
sparklemotion @subwayreads I'm in the same camp as you. But for me it's been getting harder to focus on reading 😔 Thank you both for sharing! I know it can be nervewracking to do so @BookishFeminist *hugs* 8y
BethM Get it girl! Anxiety is super hard to talk about because it can rarely be "seen." Finally told my hubby and started meds today. We've got your back! Keep doing you. Hugs. 8y
becausetrains Proud of you, hon 😎❤️ 8y
BookishFeminist @mauveandrosysky Thank you so much for your support—it really means a lot coming from you. 💛 it really is so much harder than people think! I'm just happy I found medication and treatment that I respond to since so many others can't. 8y
BookishFeminist @shawnmooney Thank you so much for your kindness. 💕💕 Hugs right back to you! You've had an incredible journey too & I have so much respect for you. So glad we can share these things here in this community. 8y
BookishFeminist @Broke_Girl_Reads @Chessa @sue Thank you guys for your support- I can't convey how much it means to me. 💕💕 I am very grateful I found a treatment plan that I respond to even if it took a long time. So many people don't get that! Hugs to you all! 8y
BookishFeminist @Alicia Thank you so much- if means a lot to me. 💕💕 It's not easy for me to talk about but I'm grateful that I can here in this welcoming community, and glad that I can maybe help someone else have the courage to fight, too. 8y
BookishFeminist @mllemay @Notafraidofwords Thank you both so much- it means a lot from you guys. 💕 so glad to finally have a proper diagnosis & treatment that works after years of trying what seemed like everything! Who knew? Hugs to you both! 8y
BookishFeminist @abbiereadsbooks Oof, yes GAD is on my long list of anxiety disorders on my file 😂 it's not fun at all. Thank you so much for your kindness & support, it means a lot to me. 💕💕 I hope you are doing better too! Hugs! 8y
BookishFeminist @LeahBergen Ughh panic disorder is the WORST. Let's panic about being scared to have another panic attack! 😑 I'm not sure how severe yours is but it can be completely crippling. Thank you so much for your kind words & encouragement, it means a lot. 💕💕 Big hugs to you too! I hope you've been able to find a treatment plan that works for you too. 8y
BookishFeminist @Trav ❤️!! Thank you so much. Your kind words and encouragement really means a lot to me coming from you. 💕💕 I never used to be able to watch movies, news & tv either. Thought for a long time it was just ADHD (which my doctors thought too), but NOPE. So grateful I can do all of the above now as long as I'm careful & medicated. Super proud of you too for overcoming your struggles! Glad we can share this together. Big virtual hugs back! 💕 8y
BookishFeminist @sharimichele It really is so freeing to ask for help, and especially to finally get the right diagnosis and a treatment I respond to after trying what felt like everything. thank you so much for your kind words & support, it means a lot. 💕 8y
BookishFeminist @subwayreads Thank you so much for your kindness & support. 💕💕 GAD is on my laundry list of mental diagnoses, too, and mixed with PTSD it's no fun bc books aren't even a comfort. So glad you can sink into them and escape when you can. I find solace in it now too now that I have proper diagnosis & thankfully treatment I respond to after trying what felt like everything! Grateful I can share it here & hopefully help encourage someone else. ❤️ 8y
BookishFeminist @subwayreads Also I totally feel you about NYC. Anxiety SUCKS there. 😖 I visit often and always have to be extra careful. I have bad agoraphobia with my panic disorder so considering people are literally everywhere, it's terrifying. So glad you can find some comfort in books & have treatment that helps a bit! Thanks for sharing on your end too. I hope things continue to improve for you. 💕 big hugs! (Also lets do something next time I'm in NYC!) 8y
BookishFeminist @Gezemice Oof, best of luck & hugs to your daughter! Bad anxiety taking a toll on reading & doing everything is something a lot of people don't consider- I'm sure I could have done so much better in school if I'd known what was going on. Thanks for your kind words & support, it means a lot. ❤️ 8y
BookishFeminist @gibblr Oh no! Sorry to hear about your mom. Anxiety is terrible for doing anything requiring concentration, particularly reading. Still have no idea how I made it through college & grad school bc of how much of a toll it takes. I hope your mom can find something to help alleviate anxiety! Audiobooks help tons on anxious days for me. Thanks for your kind words & support! Much love to you and your mom ❤️ 8y
BookishFeminist @heartlesstree Thank you for your kind words and support, it means a lot. 💕 anxiety is terrible for reading. Audiobooks help for me as long as they aren't too triggering because I don't have to concentrate as hard. Sorry to hear you've been having a difficult time with it. 😔 if you ever need to talk or want coping suggestions, track me down. I hope you're able to find more relaxation & reading ability soon. Hang in there! 💕 8y
BookishFeminist @BethM Good for you! Proud of you! Anxiety flies under the radar so easily bc we all want to be perceived as "strong" & society tends to shame it & think it's a sign of weakness when it's anything but. Thank you for your kind words, it means a lot. Best of luck on your journey! I hope you find something that works for you quickly so you can find relief. If you ever want to talk about it, track me down. It can be alienating, esp at first. ?? 8y
BookishFeminist @becausetrains Thank you 😘 couldn't have done it without your love, support & patience. ❤️ 8y
subwayreads @BookishFeminist I'd love that. Let me know when you're coming :) also we're strangers haha but my bf and I have a spare bedroom. [I had slight agoraphobia for a while - couldn't really leave the house. But my meds really helped for that. It got bearable at least. I still don't really feel fully comfortable, but it's manageable.] 8y
Trav @BookishFeminist You're most very welcome. Aww shucks, I really appreciate that. GROUP HUG *again* ❤️❤️😘😘 8y
BookishFeminist @subwayreads I will definitely let you know! hahaha I super appreciate the offer as well. We're strangers but LITSY strangers, and damnit that must count for something. 😂 my best friend lives in Manhattan so I should be good. And yes, agoraphobia bites! Mine is more bearable too now but flares up in unfamiliar situations, large crowds & unironically NYC because that's both of those things combined. 😭 glad yours is more manageable! 8y
SusanInTiburon Bless you for sharing this. It can be so hard to admit there's a problem, so hard to ask for help, so hard to feel we are worthy of the effort. I've been there. But when you speak up about your struggle, we see that change is possible. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 8y
BookishFeminist @SusanInTiburon ❤️❤️ thank you so much. It's so much harder than many people think. Glad I can share my story here in a welcoming atmosphere and helpfully give others hope. I hope you are doing well as well. Sending good vibes and hugs your way. ❤️❤️ 8y
SusanInTiburon @BookishFeminist Thanks, I am doing well, and I keep working on my stuff and working with others, and it gets better. 8y
BookishFeminist @SusanInTiburon ❤️❤️ and I hope it will continue to 8y
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