bad habits that make CPTSD worse
Before we get to habits, I’d like to take a moment to understand CPTSD. We hear it talked about. We feel the pain and struggle with the symptoms. Just what is CPTSD? The C stands for complex and the rest—post traumatic stress disorder. The following is a definition taken from the website beauty after bruises. The link is included below.
Complex PTSD comes in response to chronic traumatization over the course of months or, more often, years. This can include emotional, physical, and/or sexual abuses, domestic violence, living in a war zone, being held captive, human trafficking, and other organized rings of abuse, and more. While there are exceptional circumstances where adults develop C-PTSD, it is most often seen in those whose trauma occurred in childhood. For those who are older, being at the complete control of another person (often unable to meet their most basic needs without them), coupled with no foreseeable end in sight, can break down the psyche, the survivor’s sense of self, and affect them on this deeper level. For those who go through this as children, because the brain is still developing and they’re just beginning to learn who they are as an individual, understand the world around them, and build their first relationships – severe trauma interrupts the entire course of their psychologic and neurologic development.”
Taken from the website beauty after bruises:
https://www.beautyafterbruises.org/what-is-cptsd
As we struggle with the psychological and neurological effects in our lives, there are many things about CPTSD we cannot control. So the things we can control have even more importance. I have many habits that make CPTSD symptoms worse. The following are just a few.
1.The news- Today’s news is the very definition of perceived threat. It’s how they get us to watch. In the life of a trauma survivor ingesting a steady diet of gloom and doom adds unnecessary anxiety to our overload. Don’t do it. Get your news from a streaming source you can control. Better yet, don’t watch it at all.
2.Isolating-It’s easier to give up on relationships than it is to pursue them. In the short run, that’s true. In the long run, that attitude will destroy your life. We heal through relationship. Trauma survivors have to be very careful about the relationships they choose, but life-giving ones are transformative.
3.House clutter-On the surface, this sounds crazy. It’s not. Clutter causes stress and adds to feeling overwhelmed. Clean out for 15 minutes a day and donate to Goodwill once a week. You’ll feel better if you do.
4.Overeating-This one is particularly tough. Nobody ever wanted to overeat on salad. It’s always the sugar and the carbs isn’t it? Don’t beat yourself up but know working on this habit helps overall feelings of wellbeing instead of feeding the suffering.
5.Self-Destructive Behaviors-Cutting, Smoking, Drinking, Drugs both illegal and prescription are just some of the ways trauma expresses itself. Be very kind to yourself as you approach these behemoths. You’re not a bad person. You’re wounded. Overcoming self-destructive behaviors and habits takes time, patience and love.
These are only the first five of a very long list. I’d like to hear from you. What habits do you have that make CPTSD worse? Comment here or go to https://authorrebekahbrown.com/ And at the bottom of the page there is a place for questions. If you use the question box, make sure to include your email within your comments so I can reply. You can also reach me by email: hello@defytraumaembracejoy.com
It’s important to put parameters around what we allow into our minds and hearts. CPTSD is hard enough. We don’t need to add to the load. Defy trauma! Embrace joy instead!