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Thanks a bunch for this Blueberry.
Psycho-education is powerfully helpful to me and this looks like a lot of good info.

What I want others to understand is that even when I'm being your hero, your caretaker or brilliant in any way on the outside - on the inside I might be a complete disaster.
That everything feels like it's a hundred times harder for me than for people without c-ptsd.
And that stress and triggers throw me off in a way that I don't think most people without c-ptsd experience or understand.

Thanks Chart

Yes! Thanks for this .
Kinda embarrassed I didn't think of this myself
This will be a valuable and practical resource for my partner.

Thanks Sense Organ and Kizzie.
I'll look into both of those.
Mostly it's do partner better understands my inner experiences.
'Cause, gosh I always look together on the outside.

Hello Everyone

I was diagnosed with c-ptsd earlier last year at age 63
It was obvious-I've been dealing with it forever.
I'm married almost 40 years and my partner and I are looking for appropriate websites or books for partners of folks living with c-ptsd.
Any suggestions???
Thanks in advance

Greetings samereflection1001

Yes! The difference between ptsd and c-ptsd was profound for me-and really helpful. And yes, a club I did not want to belong to but here we are and it's great to have company.

I know of DBT but have not experienced it specifically although my therapist probably uses some of those techniques.
It is evidence based which matters greatly to me. I.e. has this actually helped other people?.

EMDR and Internal Family Systems have helped me greatly.
Therapy is a commitment and the right therapist for you, almost regardless of technique , is key in my experience.
Feeling better, more whole has been possible for me.
And from the depths of my heart, I hope the same for you.

Hi Erec

I definitely get skin responses to past trauma and anxiety.

On me it manifests as hives or skin yeast infection. The yeast infection is treatable with steroid + anti-fungal cream.
The hives I don't itch and wait out.

Usually the skin reaction will occur when I do not expect it but so far I'm always able to imagine a link it to a traumatic event. Often because of the placement of the inflammation on my body  I have a "you've got to be kidding me" response.

So different in some ways to your experience but also similar.

Thanks for sharing

Yeah, it was really odd. We had actually been doing (what I thought was) some good work up until then. It wasn't until my present therapist that i understood that a therapist might help one out of dissociation or panic.
I did write him a letter stating in clear and reasonable terms that i thought his dumping of me- a soft sort of dump- was not okay. No response but I was not expecting one.
The whole event was shockingly painful and disruptive.

I considered reporting him, but figured I didn't have any authority. Who are they gonna believe, the professional or the "crazy" client??
I would like him to not work with complex ptsd Folk ever again-so maybe a report is in order. Just on the off chance that it would make a difference.

Thanks for your thoughts Kizzy.

Thanks NarcKiddo
That's 100% spot on. I do really need to get that out of my head and indeed it does reflect on bad guys in authority in my past.
I will also follow this advice and bring it up with my therapist next session.

Gosh! I love this forum https://www.cptsd.org/forum/Smileys/classic/grouphug.gif

Thanks LadyBoar

I love your idea of body as ally-that's really helpful and not silly at all. I'm definitely gonna try this.

I'm also grateful for your courage and hope (that's how it struck me) around your chronic pelvic pain. That is inspiring

And I wish you loads of relief and healing

Hi All

I'm not entirely clear on the trigger warning protocol. There might be some triggers in this about fear of process.

Wondering if anyone can relate:
My physical body reacts to my trauma in a very way.

 As an example, the other day I was going deeper into a memory (which i considered kinda minor in relation to other experiences I've had-some kind of lesson there) and I broke out in some hives-one spot where my arm had been held. And i got a pounding headache that thank-fully went away in an hour or so.

The stuff that goes on mentally and emotionally is a lot as well. But the body stuff sometimes borders on frightening. I'm lucky to be working with a therapist who is, imo, "body-centered" He has taught me the emdr flash technique, has me breath and stretch. So that's helpful. Plus I am a long time massage therapist so I'm aware of many helpful techniques.

But here's the concern. I had a previous therapist for a year or so who was almost only "talk-centered" and left me to deal with all fall-out on my own. He was my first therapist after working on my stuff solo for decades. I am 63yo woman.
When I started to get into more intense emoting, crying and wailing basically, the therapist dropped me because he said he was worried I'd have a heart attack or nervous break-down and should work with someone else. Ha! He was certainly correct that i needed to work with someone else.

But his worries stuck with me. I do have some managed heart issues (angina) and he knew I has an experience when I felt like i was losing my mind (terrifying).
So now when i have an anxiety attack (my panic attacks are mostly under control) or have strong feelings I'm frightened that I'll have a heart attack or lose my mind.

I'm just wondering if anyone else has strong physical reactions and how they might deal.

Hello

I am 63 yo woman.

I've done a ton of work on myself over the years, mostly addressing symptoms like panic and shame and anxiety and depression.

Just recently I began working with a therapist, honestly I was too ashamed or self-conscious or something to work with another person.

This therapist diagnosed me with CPTSD which is pretty much an obvious fit
The therapy is very body-focused: emdr, internal family systems, breath work etc. It's hard but it's been working! And I'm experiencing real change. No doubt there will be set-backs.

As I'm sure other people on this forum have experienced (and I'd love to hear about this from other Folk) it's not easy to find people to share this stuff with. That's what has brought me here. I'd like to feel less alone and just have a place where other people understand.

So thanks to everyone for being here. 

Hi Lina24

I really appreciate what Sanmagic7 and Kizzie said in their response to your confusion.

I'd like to add that what you said about how'd you respond to someone else in your situation, how you would offer consideration and kindness, is what I've learned to do when facing the same dilemma.
Sometimes I will ask how I'd treat someone else then use that as direction for how to treat myself.

I'm fairly new to this, in fact this is my first post. So maybe not ideal advice but I do know
You absolutely do matter and deserve the same kindness and respect as you would show another.