The worst possible things you could say to someone with CPTSD

The worst possible things you could say to someone with CPTSD & PTSD is
“Just get over it”

Would you say that to someone who has cancer or has a broken leg? I think not!
So don’t say it to someone with a mental illness.

We didn’t do this to ourselves. It’s not self inflicted & we definitely didn’t ask for this to happen to us.

These illnesses are from traumatic events that were totally our of our control.

As a sufferer of CPTSD I wish I had an off switch to turn off my constant triggers & flashbacks but I dont so I’m dealing with it all the best way I can.

So when someone says “Just stop thinking about it” or “Focus on the positives & not the negatives” I get so angry. I wish they could live in my head for just an hour & see how they cope after dealing with it. I guarantee they wouldn’t last an hour.

As Iv said in another post a lot of people that have CPTSD are survivors of child sexual abuse.

When our brains are growing & leaning how to cope with everyday problems, we are dealing with unspeakable acts that not even an adult should have to deal with.

I know that non sufferers will never understand but I want to help people have a better understanding of just how complex it is suffering with this illness.

Dealing with normal day to day activities can be so hard. Just getting out of bed is a struggle.

What others think is a simple task can be absolute hell for us.

Below is a basic list of how CPTSD effects people.

Symptoms of Complex PTSD

Emotion Regulation Problems
People with Complex PTSD experience difficulties managing their emotions. They may experience severe depression, thoughts of suicide, or have difficulties controlling their anger.
Changes in Consciousness
Following exposure to a chronic traumatic event, a person may repress memories of the traumatic event, experience flashbacks, or experience dissociation.
Changes in How a Person Views Themselves
Symptoms in this category include feelings of helplessness, shame, guilt, or feeling detached and different from others.

Changes in How the Victim Views the Perpetrator
A person with Complex PTSD may feel like he has no power over a perpetrator (the perpetrator has complete power in a relationship). In Complex PTSD, people might also become preoccupied with their relationship with a perpetrator (for example, constant thoughts of wanting revenge).

Changes in Personal Relationships
These symptoms include problems with relationships, such as isolating oneself or being distrusting of others.

Changes in How One Views the World
People exposed to chronic or repeated traumatic events may also lose faith in humanity or have a sense of hopelessness about the future.

I hope that if you are a sufferer of CPTSD or you know someone who has it, that this is helpful for you.

Just remember that you didn’t do this to yourself, it is from horrible acts that were out of your control. You are reacting the way you should after suffering these terrible things. If you are suffering in silence please get the help you need so you can have a better life.