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Defeating Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder with Self-compassion
Learning to love oneself
No one is harder on a survivor of complex trauma than the survivor. Survivors feel they are a burden, cannot have a voice for themselves, or feel shame. Also, survivors often lack trust in who they are and believe no one is trustworthy.
This article will focus on self-compassion and how relational trauma causes harm, especially when you are affected by complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD).
Unresolved Relational Trauma Harms Self-Compassion
Self-compassion can be described as caring for oneself by acknowledging and respecting one’s emotional needs. Because of complex trauma, survivors do not understand how to practice self-compassion and learn how to nurture, love, and respect themselves.
A type of trauma you may not have heard much about is relational trauma. Relational trauma happens when a child’s sense of safety and love from their family is constantly disrupted. This type of trauma occurs in childhood when the bonding between a child and their parent is disrupted. This interruption has grave consequences for the child because the bond between parent and child is essential in shaping who they will become as they grow and form new relationships outside the home.
