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Understanding cPTSD: A Survivor’s Journey
What is cPTSD? Complex PTSD (cPTSD) arises from prolonged or repeated exposure to trauma, particularly in childhood. Unlike typical PTSD, which is often linked to a single event, cPTSD is a response to ongoing trauma, such as childhood sexual abuse (CSA) or, in my case, sibling sexual abuse (SSA). I’ll refer to CSA and SSA throughout rather than focusing solely on SSA. I am also conscious of feedback from readers of Resolve that anyone who experienced childhood trauma, whether sexual or not, could benefit from what is shared there. Discussing cPTSD offers a universally helpful message, and I hope what I share here today will resonate with you or help you take your…
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Enough For Now
As I moved through my journey and sought clarity on what happened to me, how it impacted my life, and how I could respond, I often found myself thinking, “enough, that’s enough for now.” I didn’t realise then that this thought was more universal than just my experience. In healing, sometimes one step is all that’s needed for now; then it’s the next step, and then the one after that. Not all at once—sometimes, they’re jumbled together, creating a chaotic mess that obscures the bigger picture. These moments can bring tears, prompting retreat into the safety of silence. I’d need space and time to nurture and love myself, acknowledging and…
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Unraveling through Writing: Finding Words for Feelings We Couldn’t Describe
Growing up in a Catholic household in southern Sydney during the 1960s and 1970s, my childhood looked ordinary. Family albums capture a shy, butter-blonde child, happily playing with dolls and cats, crafting with her grandmother, and wearing beautifully sewn frocks made by her mother. On the surface, it was the idyllic childhood. But behind that seemingly typical childhood, another narrative was unfolding—one I couldn’t voice. As a young girl, I was drawn into experiences that took years to understand and name. While the world saw a shy, creative child, there was something deeper and more complicated happening inside. During my teenage years, awkwardness became a constant companion, especially around boys.…
