C-PTSD and how it shows up in your life
I found it difficult to describe what I do for a while. I knew I had this awesome program that helps women feel so much better in all areas of their life. I knew my clients reported more confidence in themselves and their decisions, a heightened sense of personal direction in their life, and exponentially more peace compared to their overwhelming emotional patterns from before. But how do you describe that when you’re telling people they could benefit from what you offer??
The common thread of all my client’s stories and a huge part of the issues we addressed in working together was the reality that they had faced some sort of trauma — and that they continued to feel the effects of it throughout their life as they struggled to leave behind the patterns of fear and self-doubt that it caused.
A lot of what I do in my coaching is actually guiding clients away from leaning on a diagnosis to inform their decisions moving forward, and inviting them to feel into their own guiding intuition beyond the diagnosis or the specific symptoms.
So it felt a bit oxymoronic for me to refer to a “diagnosis” when addressing my clients’ concerns. But the proof is in the pudding on this one: the symptoms of C-PTSD are exactly what I help my clients work through, even if they’ve never heard of it before.
So, at the risk of sounding clinical for a moment, let’s take a look at some common symptoms of Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder:
Emotional dysregulation: Difficulty controlling emotions, heightened emotional responses, or feeling very angry or distrustful
Avoidance: Avoiding situations or people related to the trauma, or having trouble keeping friends and partners
Negative self-perception: Feeling worthless, ashamed, or permanently damaged, or having a distorted sense of self
Physical symptoms: Headaches, dizziness, chest pains, stomach aches, or unexplained upset stomach
Dissociative symptoms: Depersonalization or derealization, or feelings of being in a dream
Hyperarousal: Constantly being on alert or jittery, or having trouble sleeping or concentrating
Somatic symptoms: Physical symptoms that don't have a clear physical cause, like feeling dizzy or nauseated when reminded of the trauma
Anxiety, depression, or both
Having flashbacks or nightmares/sleep disturbances
Memory lapses, brain fog
Challenged interpersonal relationships
Substance use/abuse
Autoimmune conditions
Personally, I believe that most humans suffer from some combination of a few of these symptoms. But I am also of the particular belief that dysfunctional family systems are quite common and overlooked. You can learn a bit more about the philosophy behind my work here, but suffice it to say that those who find my work and feel it resonates are also often working through disempowering patterns that started in childhood, sometimes without consciously realizing it.
I thought it might be helpful to list these symptoms here, along with a reminder that trauma doesn’t always mean you went through a bombing or trafficking or sexual abuse. “Small” traumas have the same effect on your body as “big” traumas. That includes your brain, your nervous system, and your behavior/thought patterns. So if any of these symptoms call out to you, know that you can reach out. I offer free Clarity Sessions where you can bring your current concerns or issues, gain clarity on any themes that may be playing out in your life that can absolutely be helped, and you’ll also walk away with a few action steps you can take immediately to start feeling better and more empowered in your life.
Sending you love and strength on your journey.
-Ashana.
Disclaimer: any information on this site is not intended to replace the opinion or care of a medical practitioner. This information is for educational purposes only. You should always listen to your own inner guidance and seek professional/medical help when you feel it is necessary.
