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I think I'll be an onion, snakes give me the willies lol   

Happy Spring to you as well 

Hi David - We're glad to hear that as a professional in training you are interested in knowing about CPTSD.  As you suggest it is a relatively new diagnosis and the more information we can contribute to the knowledge base about the disorder the better.

Understandably we are cautious here so we would appreciate it if you could tell us more about which university and program you are with, and what you will be using this information for.  If you are just looking for general information for a course paper then members can certainly answer your questions here.  If you are looking for data for a research study, however, then you will of course need Informed Consent forms from participants.

Just PM me with the requested info or post it here and I will respond ASAP.

Thanks again for your interest.

Kizzie
Site Manager

Hi Justin - I am so sorry to hear you are in the midst of such a terrible struggle.     CPTSD does not make for an easy, smooth life for any of us, but what we also all have in common here is that our recovery is forefront.  That is, if we are to help our children or anyone, we must first help ourselves. 

I am not certain in which country you live but most offer some form of subsidized care.  I was never one to reach out for help either but two years ago I was in such bad shape I had to and it was the best thing I could have done (although it did not feel like that then). You might start with having a look here and contacting one of the agencies who may then direct you to the resources you need -http://www.outofthestorm.website/emergency/

Here we can offer support and information about CPTSD so please keep on posting, it really does help not to feel so alone and compliments help from others IRL.  for your courage in posting here, it's a big step out of the darkness and fear.

Emo, with utmost respect and compassion I urge you to contact a crisis line for some help. Things may be at their worst right now, but they can and do get better, especially when we have a helping hand or many helping hands for that matter.  Many of us have been situations that are desperate and are here and recovering because we reached out. 

Please contact one of the organizations at the link provided for help:

   http://www.outofthestorm.website/emergency/.   

I hate having CPTSD too Boats    I am just starting to see that it has its gifts as Pete Walker has suggested.  I teach adult education and about two years ago had a bad collapse and had to take a leave of absence.  I honestly was not sure I would be able to go back, but after some much needed rest, therapy, a change in medication and a lot of talking and reading here, I felt well enough to go back and it has been so much better. 

I find that through my own struggles I am a much better educator than I was. I connect more with my students and they with me because I am more my self, human, authentic, compassionate, imperfect (which actually is perfection to my way of thinking nowadays).  FWIW, perhaps your struggle with CPTSD makes you just that much better a nurse because you do understand suffering?     

  to you for sticking with it JDog. 

You know, I've had moments lately where I've felt too tired to criticize myself or others. It's like this feeling of "Been there, done that, let's just skip this and move on, I'm tired of the negativity"  -  almost a "Meh, why bother?" response.

Interesting as at first I'd have to shout both my OCr and ICr down, then went to compassion and now it's like, nope not going to waste my precious energy and they seem to be OK with it.    Anyway, kind of an interesting new feeling that seems to highlight your sentiment that we are indeed works in progress.   Here's to recovery 

You are most definitely not weird (what you are experiencing are symptoms common to CPTSD, not character defects, weaknesses, or crazy parts), and you most certainly not alone any more.    to you SugarPuff and welcome to OOTS.

I hear you too Moonhare, thank you so much for sharing     

Yesterday, a colleague threw me under the bus a bit in front of someone during a meeting.  While there was some truth in his criticism, it was mainly powered by his own insecurity and frustrations with an entire system rather than just directed at my faults and such.  It is easy to know that intellectually and much more difficult to know it emotionally. 

   If we could get the rational and emotional to agree we'd be sailing (or running as the case may be).  How did the marathon go?  Did your ICr  ?

   Sometimes I get nervous and start blathering. I can hear myself saying "Stop talking Kizzie!" and then I trail off and there's that awkward silence that makes me wish I could  

Sorry to hear you were so triggered ComingTrue 

Oh dear Woodsgnome, I am deeply sorry you have had such an experience here.     As safe and respectful and considerate as we try to keep things at OOTS it is in the nature of internet forums (and perhaps in being human), that there will inevitably be grit along with grace.

Like you, I am proud of that fact that those of us with CPTSD do tend to be sensitive people for I think the silver lining in our suffering is that we come to be people who understand the value of compassion and in living with that very grace you spoke about.  Unfortunately, early on in our anger and pain we may not speak wisely or humanely to our peers here and that is difficult I know for we have all had enough of that in our lives.

I am very happy to hear you have finally found a therapist with whom you feel safe and perhaps with her you can work together on what happened here.  And if you are so inclined to continue to post resources and so on, that would be most welcome as you have contributed much to this site. 

Please PM me anytime 

HI Indigo, so sorry to hear you have been struggling    So many of us are dealing with fatigue and other related health issues but don't know what to do or where to go or what to believe, and yet we know clearly our bodies have reacted to all the stress and fear and a toxic amount of hormones and chemicals that comes with that.   

Mainstream medicine will hopefully get to the point where all GPs learn about issues like adrenal fatigue, fibromyalgia and so on and have the relevant tests to diagnose, but that will only come when they have the clinical research which takes time.  That said, if you have a GP you feel comfortable with perhaps try explaining what you're feeling and what's at the bottom of it.  Your GP may actually be knowledgeable, mine knew about CPTSD so she was able to help me in the way I needed.

It does seem like naturopaths are often ahead of the curve in terms of health issues like adrenal fatigue so it may be helpful to give one a try.  If you're not sure which one to choose you can go to one of the rating sites and pick one from the reviews.  You could also ask your T if s/he knows of someone (GP and/or naturopath), since s/he brought it up. 

It's so hard struggling to get answers when the physical effects of long-term trauma are only beginning to be recognized I know as I'm sure many here do as well.  I wish you well and hope you are able to find some informed care      

Welcome Moonhare, glad you found your way here!   

I love your paintings of food Pam - they really do make me a little peckish though   

Sorry to hear you've been depressed  x 3