How Can You Heal from Complex PTSD?

Healing from PTSD is difficult enough on its own. When you’re dealing with complex PTSD, it can be even more challenging as the line is consistently blurred between the chronic trauma you experienced and what’s happening to you in the present.

However, it is possible to heal from complex PTSD without feeling as though you’re solely in survival mode for the rest of your life.

By combining therapeutic approaches with lifestyle adjustments and ensuring you have the right support along the way, you can move forward while letting go of the trauma that’s defined your life for so long.

What Is Complex PTSD?

While many of the symptoms of PTSD and complex PTSD are similar, complex PTSD occurs when you experience chronic, repeated trauma. It could include things like abuse or neglect as a child, or being a victim of an abusive relationship as an adult.

Even after getting out of the traumatic situation, complex PTSD can make you feel like you’re still living that nightmare, as the memories and flashbacks are so vivid. This kind of trauma can change the way you see yourself and the rest of the world. That often makes it difficult to have healthy relationships or even trust anyone.

Lifestyle Changes That Can Help

Engaging in daily self-care is one of the first steps you should take as you fight back against the impact of complex PTSD. Self-care doesn’t have to be anything extreme or take a lot of time. However, you should find ways to incorporate it into your daily routine. Exercising, eating healthy meals, and practicing stress-reduction techniques can make a big difference.

Grounding techniques can also help you deal with the effects of PTSD. Things like mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing can pull you back to the present. Complex PTSD is notorious for bringing up harmful memories that seem very vivid and real. Using grounding techniques will help you stay focused on the here and now, reminding you that you are safe.

Building Relationships and Support

It’s not always easy for people with complex PTSD to foster healthy relationships. You might want to withdraw from people, or keep them at a distance. However, it’s so important to have a support network in your corner as you work on healing. Family members, friends, and support groups can encourage you, provide understanding, and support you every step of the way as you move forward.

Finding Professional Help

Therapy is often the best way to heal from complex PTSD, especially when combined with the right kind of support and lifestyle changes. Complex PTSD tends to engage the sympathetic nervous system, putting you in a constant state of “fight or flight” mode. You might always be on edge or feel like you’re being threatened, even when you’re not.

Therapy can help you track these changes by fostering somatic awareness. You’ll start to be more aware of the signs of stress within yourself. As a result, you can use relaxation and grounding techniques to stop them before they get out of control.

Working with a therapist will also help you better understand the root of your complex PTSD. While you might not want to revisit what caused your trauma, it’s often a necessary first step in the healing process. From there, you’ll learn how to fight back against symptoms while letting go of the trauma that has tried to control you for so long.

Healing from this kind of trauma is possible, and it’s not something you have to do on your own. If you’re ready to take the first step on your healing journey, we would be honored to help. Contact us to set up a consultation soon.

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