#cptsdrecovery

[erinhaiz]

If Hell Has an Exit

If hell has an exit,

it looks nothing like triumph.

It looks like a girl with shaking hands,

hair wild from wind or weeping,

eyes that forgot what softness felt like—

and still,

she stares into the lens.

Still,

she doesn’t look away.

If hell has an exit,

it isn’t golden.

It’s not paved in glory.

It’s rusted bolts and aching knees,

a door you had to break with your own shoulder

because no one else came.

Because screaming didn’t work.

Because love was supposed to—but didn’t.

If hell has an exit,

maybe it’s just this:

you,

alive,

on the other side.

Not polished.

Not pristine.

But breathing.

Barefaced.

Unafraid to be seen.

You didn’t crawl out for applause.

You clawed your way to light

because the dark forgot your name,

but you never did.

And now,

here you are.

Disheveled.

Still sacred.

Proof that if hell has an exit,

you are it.

[absurdpositivity]

[joelekm]

Why BPD Often Mimics Complex PTSD: Understanding the Overlap and Differences | Dr. Daniel Fox

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Complex PTSD (CPTSD) share many symptoms—such as emotional dysregulation, dissociation, and identity issues—but they are not the same. Dr. Daniel Fox explains how chronic trauma can trigger BPD-like symptoms, and what sets CPTSD apart. In this video, you'll learn the key differences between the two, why misdiagnosis occurs, and which treatments help you reclaim your sense of self. If you have BPD, CPTSD, or both, this video offers insight into your healing journey.

[messyhuesofhealing]

That’s a powerful and honest reflection—and a very valid question to ask.

Here’s a direct breakdown of what might be going on, based on what you shared:

🔍 Is it really one-sided?

To find out, consider these questions:

Do the people in your life initiate contact, care, or effort as much as you do?

When you stop trying, does the relationship stall or fade?

Do you feel emotionally fulfilled or consistently drained after interactions?

If the answers lean toward you doing most of the emotional labor, it likely is one-sided.

🧠 Or is it your trauma brain?

When you’ve had to over-function as a child (especially in unsafe or neglectful environments), your brain might now equate being needed with being loved. You may:

Feel compelled to earn connection.

Struggle to feel secure unless you’re proving your worth.

Be hyper-aware of any signs of distance or disconnection.

That survival pattern can trick you into staying in imbalanced relationships—or believing you're the only one who should be giving.

✨ Here's what might help:

Track effort: Pick one or two relationships. For one week, track who initiates, listens, supports, and checks in. This gives you data—not just feelings—to reflect on.

Set a limit: Try giving just a little less than usual. See what happens. Do they notice, step up, or fade out?

Notice your internal alarms: When you pause or say no, does it feel unsafe or wrong? That could be trauma speaking—not truth.

You’re not wrong to feel this way. Whether it’s old wiring or current imbalance—or both—you’re allowed to want reciprocal, real connection.

Would it help if I built a quick self-check tool or worksheet for you to sort this out over time?

[raghav26]

A Child’s Journey Through C-PTSD: The Power of Child Counseling in Gurgaon

Sarah was only nine years old when her world began to fall apart. Growing up in a home full of constant tension, loud arguments, and emotional neglect, she learned early on that safety was something she could never count on. Every loud noise scared her, and even the smallest movements triggered her fear. Trusting anyone seemed impossible. She never knew what it felt like to be truly... read more

[ofglitterandgrit]

Still here. Still healing. Still worthy.

Affirmations for when you’re not “over it” yet—

[this-smile-is-real]

This a reminder to and from me that we’re going to be okay.

Healing is fucking hard and I wonder what surrender brings to the deepening of who we are and where we find ourselves meeting the roots colliding with the earth beneath?

Healing is feeling. Healing is letting despair meet the deepest parts of ourselves to recognise that we’re still here. We’re still standing.

Perhaps healing doesn’t have to be pretty but neither does the process in walking it out need to be denied.

It’s heavy. The scars etched far deeper than the outer vessel of our skin. Healing is meeting ourselves in the trenches saying ‘you’re not in this alone’.

I’ve been quiet lately on social media but also just in words spoken in general to others.

I’ve been dealing with a resurgence in memories and nightmares and flashbacks and pain experienced from traumatic events that occurred 2 years ago (fire), 6 years ago (SA) and 20+ years ago (CSA) all around this time of year.

I’m still in early stages of healing but I’m here and I’m still trying to give myself grace and compassion, kindness and love.

cPTSD is hard ya’ll, but we’re going to be okay. I’m going to be okay 🙏🏻

#cptsdrecovery

[stefaniaczech]

Surviving My Narcissistic Mother | CPTSD Recovery Part 1 | Phoenix Rising  #CPTSDRecovery #NarcissisticAbuse #EmotionalAbuseSurvivor #SurvivorStory #PhoenixRising #ChildhoodTrauma #ToxicMother #NarcissisticParent #HealingJourney #BreakingSilence #InnerChildHealing #ComplexPTSD #AbuseRecovery #EmotionalHealing #ToxicFamily #SurvivorTruth #ReclaimYourVoice #TraumaSurvivor #MentalHealthAwareness #SelfLoveJourney #HealingIsPossible #YouAreNotAlone #TriggerWarning #NoMoreSilence #StalkingSurvivor #AbusiveRelationships #NarcissistRecovery #RiseAboveAbuse #EmpoweredSurvivor #YouTubeSurvivors #SpeakYourTruth #StopAbuse #ProtectSurvivors #SurvivorSupport #ResilientAF #StrongerNow #ThisPhoenixRises #RestrainingOrder #CPTSDHealing

[thehealinghour]

If you were raised in a home where pain was ignored or mocked, you might struggle to believe kindness is real. But your past doesn't get to define your future. You can unlearn the lie that you're unworthy. https://toolbox.dianemetcalf.com/startingfresh/ #LemonMoms #BreakingCycles #CPTSDRecovery #EmotionalAbuse #GenerationalHealing

[traumaalchemy]

DAY II: THE RECOVERY MANIFESTO (redux) 

00:34

DAY 2

-I woke up startled at 6 am having NO idea where I was.  -I then realized and proceeded to have a panic attack -Hopped in the shower: half panicking. half crying & the rest chanting 😭 -I then did my spiritual practices in order to cleanse & purify my space.  - I was late to not only breakfast but lunch too. 😳 (lack of diligence with my time was never really my strong point..

I run off Daniella time -‘and my mantra is- “time doesn’t exist, clocks exist” is my general unmedicated ADHD answer to living life  - I was put on a new medication that allegedly treats both PTSD & ADHD 😮😮😮 (it’s a nighttime med; meaning I took it at 9pm Tuesday evening).  - met my doctor, who seems really wonderful (unlike the idiot I had at the last clinic). *knock on wood*  - was told off for going outside my “Area” to get some sticky date pudding (I didn’t know i wasn’t allowed in the dining room!)  - also had my blood test and ECG done  - met a few people.. -ate meat for dinner (my anemia is even worse than before 

[thehealinghour]

Healing Self Doubt

If you grew up being told your reality was wrong, of course you doubt yourself now. That’s not weakness. That’s cognitive dissonance.https://toolbox.dianemetcalf.com/healingdissonance/ #GaslightingSurvivor #TraumaRecovery #NarcissisticMother #CPTSDRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness

[zenrayne]

Healing is raw and full of vulnerability between your spirit, mind and body. It’s learning to integrate them all so you’re in sync with your true self.

credit: @_lisaolivera on ig

[redsmileyco]

Sobriety isn't just about drugs n alcohol... it's about anything you do to "escape" or harm yourself.... sex, toxic relationships, toxic behaviors, self harm of any kind, etc. 🫂💜💙💚💛🧡💛💚💙💜🫂 #sobriety #ptsd #sobrietyjourney #ptsdrecovery #addictionrecovery #selfcare #cptsdrecovery #sexaddictionrecovery #alcoholrecovery #drugrecovery #sobrietyjourney #emotionalsobriety (at Colorado) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ccx4jMMLBtv/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[martianmoonboy]

So for trauma survivors reparenting themselves, I highly recommend getting SlumberKins. They teach social-emotional tools in digestible formats, which is great for people who are trying to learn new and foreign skills. This book taught me more about how to regulate my emotions than any other tool I've used, and I've had a much better day because of being able to use this. They sell the books by themselves and also in book + blanket and book + stuffie sets.