One attack can repetitively bleed into another and tumble us further down a spiral of hopelessness. The inner critic commonly increases the intensity of a flashback via a barrage of… attacks… Flashbacks can devolve into increasingly painful levels of the abandonment depression. Until I read your work, I couldn’t figure out what it actually was. It somehow normalized a lot of what I was struggling with and both reassured me that I wasn’t weak and gave me cautious optimism that it was fixable.

That was a time in my life when I thought my brain was permanently damaged and that I would never be able to function normally again. You suggested that I read your book, so I bought it right away and started reading. You very graciously answered me immediately with empathy for my suffering but also that you did not have room to take anyone else on. I wrote to you and asked if you could take me on as a client. It wasn’t until I found your website that I felt truly understood or even knew what kind of help I needed. This is despite the fact that many high functioning survivors learn to socially function quite adequately. The survivor’s innate capacity to experience comfort and support in relationship becomes very limited or non-existent. Needing anything from others can feel especially dangerous. I also often seemed okay I know how to fake it very well. I knew I needed help, but I couldn’t seem to find help that actually-well- helped.

How does one review a book that is so deeply personal, a book that shifted me from wandering around in despair to starting a healing journey? I know, I’ll write him a thank you note!ĭuring the most difficult time of my life, I started searching the terms “depression,” “anxiety,” “panic attacks” etc. All too often, your decisions are based on the fear of getting in trouble or getting abandoned, rather than on the principles of having meaningful and equitable interactions with the world. Without a properly functioning ego, you have no center for making healthy choices and decisions.

Pete walker complex ptsd website