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wesg2 t1_j5zogfr wrote

Reply to comment by Pfeffer_Prinz in TIL of Complex PTSD, which arises from prolonged, inescapable trauma (like child abuse/neglect, sex trafficking, or solitary confinement). It's hard to spot & treat, and can last a lifetime. Victims have a diminished sense of self, and issues with trust, boundaries, cognition, motor skills, & more. by Pfeffer_Prinz

Bro its so difficult. I didn't experience feelings other than rage and sadness until I was about 25 years old. Now I have to figure out how to realize THAT I'm feeling something, then WHAT I'm feeling, and then HOW to express that and then finally express it. It's the fkin worst.

I regularly think that I have no idea who I am, because I don't know how I feel about anything. Feelings direct your beliefs and decisions and if you just base all of your decisions off of logic and vague goals that society says are good, then you end up not really having any firm beliefs (at least that's my experience).

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Pfeffer_Prinz OP t1_j5ztsas wrote

100%

I hope you're able to find a steady course in regaining your sense of self. It's a really difficult road (and definitely not linear! Don't worry if you "slip back" into old habits — it's not a failure on your part, it's completely normal).

If you haven't already I recommend working with trained mental health professionals. I was able to do a lot on my own with personal research, but nowhere near what I accomplished with professionals, in a fraction of the time, with wayyy less collateral damage.

It's like if you tried to build a shed with no power tools, starting with just a tree in the ground... and you have no hands. You could probably do it eventually, but it would take forever, be way harder, and you could really hurt yourself in the process. Better to just get a professional.

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wesg2 t1_j61rm3n wrote

Yeah I feel that. I've done a lot of work with professionals getting up to this point. Will definitely continue. Thanks for your lovely reply.

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