Living with Complex PTSD (And Constant Dissociation)

Special Books by Special Kids2 minutes read

Yasmin, a 26-year-old student from Lagos, Nigeria, shares her struggles with complex PTSD, anxiety, depression, and disassociative tendencies stemming from childhood trauma. Her partner's support and understanding help her confront her emotional struggles and acknowledge the impact of her trauma.

Insights

  • Yasmin's traumatic experiences as a child led to the development of complex PTSD, impacting her ability to trust, express emotions, and maintain relationships, with her partner playing a pivotal role in her healing journey.
  • The coexistence of happiness and darkness within Yasmin, along with her struggles in communicating emotions and trusting others, underscores the profound effects of trauma on her emotional well-being, highlighting the importance of a supportive and understanding partner in her recovery process.

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Recent questions

  • What traumatic experiences did Yasmin face?

    Abuse by a male nanny from ages 6 to 10.

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Summary

00:00

Yasmin's Trauma: Unveiling Hidden Emotional Struggles

  • Yasmin, a 26-year-old student from Lagos, Nigeria, shares her diagnoses of complex post-traumatic stress disorder, general anxiety, depressive symptoms, and disassociative tendencies.
  • She recounts traumatic experiences between ages 6 and 10 involving a male nanny and disassociating during the abuse.
  • Yasmin's trust in a nanny who informed her mother led to the nanny's dismissal, shaping Yasmin's reluctance to share and her belief that traumatic experiences were not significant.
  • Complex PTSD, a disorder from prolonged traumatic exposure with little escape, affects Yasmin, who initially struggled to acknowledge its impact due to her social demeanor.
  • Yasmin's partner highlights her upbeat, social nature contrasting with her trauma, leading her to realize the hidden effects of her experiences.
  • Yasmin's difficulty expressing anger and sadness, feeling different from others due to her trauma, and struggling with trust issues are symptoms of CPTSD she experiences.
  • Her partner's observation of her lack of trust and emotional control prompts Yasmin to confront her struggles and acknowledge the impact of her trauma.
  • Yasmin describes the overwhelming coexistence of happiness and darkness, leading to emotional outbursts and withdrawal as coping mechanisms.
  • Her partner's attentiveness to her stoic, silent behavior helps him recognize when she is troubled and encourages her to open up.
  • Yasmin confirms experiencing difficulty controlling emotions, emphasizing the challenges she faces in expressing her feelings.

14:09

Navigating Emotional Turmoil with Partner's Support

  • Intense emotions, particularly sadness and anger, have a significant physical impact on the individual, leading to reactions like shaking, sweating, and increased heart rate.
  • During moments of distress, the individual seeks solace in the guest bedroom, isolating themselves in darkness with a blanket, pillow, and teddy bear, experiencing feelings of self-pity and trauma.
  • The individual struggles with communicating their emotions when feeling bad due to a fear of making others feel bad, leading to a tendency to overthink and prioritize others' feelings over their own.
  • The individual's partner plays a crucial role in helping them navigate through emotional turmoil by providing care, reassurance, and love without attempting to fix the situation, ultimately aiding in a quick emotional turnaround.
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