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I want to share my story for two reasons; because it's routinely dismissed, ignored, and minimised, both within the domestic sphere, and socially, and because someone who may doubt their experience and the impact of it, may read this and feel somewhat validated, which can be enormously healing.  I grew up in a domestic violence situation.  It was the most common form of domestic violence, yet the type we almost never talk about - sibling abuse.  My brother was physically, emotionally, and psychologically violent from childhood until I left home at 20.  There are no public awareness campaigns and no special days to recognise the victims of this devastating form of family violence, and even though, as I mentioned, it is the most common form of domestic violence, while funding continues to increase for other types, it steadily decreases for research into sibling abuse.  In Australia (my home country) the miniscule public conversation around this focuses almost exclusively on sexual abuse, and alarmingly and damagingly refers to it as 'bullying'.  Within the family, there's a blase, kids will be kids, attitude, that utterly undermines and negates the experiences and trauma victims endure.  I think the hardest part of this to come to terms with, for me, was my parents involvement, or lack thereof.  They completely ignored what was happening, which amounts to abandonment and emotional neglect, something I've only very recently been able to name and accept, and has been the most significant contributor to my developing CPTSD.  I also think my father has many traits of a narcissist and he consistently attacked, belittled, dismissed and undermined me throughout my life.  Furthermore, I experienced sexual abuse at the hands of an older male cousin, severe 'bullying' at school, and neglect by teachers.  So my experience has indeed been sustained, protracted, and cumulative.  I have spent most of my life debilitated by shame, terror, hopelessness, isolation, anger, self-loathing, and suicidal ideation.  Of course, these experiences led me to other abusive relationships, most notably with myself, and also with emotionally stunted and abusive 'lovers', who also displayed narcissistic traits.  I have suffered long-term with non-purging bulimia nervosa (another little talked about experience of mental distress) and other types of self-harm.  I'm doing okay at the moment.  I had 2-3 really incredible months, and though the last 2-3 have been pretty challenging, my awareness around my triggers, and my capacity to be kind to myself, have prevented things from escalating to the living * that has characterised much of my existence.  I've had a lot of therapy and continue to see my counselling psychologist - who's an emotion-focused practitioner - on a weekly basis, and have a couple of incredibly loving, kind, empathic and understanding friends.  I'm also half way through a double degree in psychology and social work, largely possible because the university, for all it faults, and there are many, has been very accommodating with extensions, late withdrawal without penalty, and leave of absence.  I have hope for the first time in my life, which allows me to continue to be here.  While I tend to reject individualistic, pathologising labels (these are problems in living - normal responses to awful situations), I have found great relief in identifying with the CPTSD experience.  Much love to you all, little fish x x x