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Does EMDR work when you don't have vivid memories/specific events to process? My complex-PTSD stems from chronic stressful events building into trauma over the years. There are few specific memories for me to "tap" into, but very clear symptoms and engendered negative beliefs that resulted from...

Thanks for your sharing. I perceive everyone as either repelled by me or pitying me. In Pete Walker's book on PTSD he writes about the inner and outer critic. They certainly rule my life. My childhood experiences had a profound impact on how I see myself (ugly, unlovable, unlikable) and view the...

I'm reading The Tapping Solution by Nick Ortner. I've also been reading up on the internet and there seem to be quite a few studies attesting to its efficacy. I can see where someone with a penchant for self-harm might "overtap," but the tapping described in the book sounds gentle. I'm going to...

Pete Walker's book is titled Complex Ptsd: From Surviving to Thriving. I'm still reading it but it has been most helpful in helping me understand and validate my experiences. It also has practical suggestions for dealing with various aspects of Complex-PTSD. Happy New Year to everyone from me...

Thanks for the replies. There are so many options and so many things to consider.... My bipolar mood swings have stabilized lately, but emotional flashbacks, anger, and anxiety are nearly off the charts. I've also been advised the EFT (tapping meridian areas on the body-like acupressure) and...

I saw a neuro-psychologist today and he presented options for dealing with/overcoming anxiety resulting from my PTSD. One was “emotional freedom therapy,” (EFT), which consists of tapping the body on certain meridian points-like acupuncture/pressure. There are several books on this and he said...

I've been reading about laser light therapy and a tapping technique for anxiety and panic, but haven't tried them yet,

That's a great suggestion! I have panic attacks just seeing a police car, even with its lights/sirens off. And I'd never take a polygraph. If they asked me if I killed JFK my response would probably set the machine on fire- and I was 5 months old when he was killed!

Thanks, Violetbutterfly! It's hard to separate my inner critic voice from those of my parents and the bullies I encountered growing up. Talking to the inner critic is one of the strategies I just read in Pete Walker's book although he didn't mention using a chair. I think that is a good idea to try!

I so experience that. My PTSD came from emotionally damaged/unavailable parents, severe bullying in school, and medical trauma. In reading Pete Walker's book, I saw where chronic non-physical trauma can be devastating. I also read Childhood Disrupted, The author writes about how "adverse...

Thanks for all the great replies!!!!! So much to think about- I love these forums! I'm considering EMDR and I have an appointment with a neuropsychologist tomorrow to discuss neurofeedback. From what I've read, these involve re-training the brain. So, I'm not giving up, even though the inner...

Does anybody here have experience having EMDR and/or neurofeedback for PTSD/Bipolar II? If so, what did you think of it/them?

I met with my therapist today and we discussed my inner critic- the voice inside me that absorbed negative messages from my parents and school bullies when I was a child. This inner critic loathes almost everything about me. Much of what I see and hear is through the prism of this inner critic...

My wife and I visited her toxic parents for three hours yesterday and we are both wiped out by it. Luckily, I had an appointment with my therapist scheduled for today. Talking about it with her helped a lot. I'm trying to be gentle with myself today and be supportive of my wife. I wish there was...

Thank you Joey and Raven! It's great to have people to share with who understand and don't judge.

She's a bit of a workaholic (possibly to avoid her issues and mine at times). Actually, sometimes we seem more like housemates than a married couple, and that is something that disturbs me greatly- but things are tough enough already without opening that can of worms. Even when we had the money...

I can see how that would work in some cases, by my situation involves living with my wife, whom I dearly love. I appreciate what she is able to do for me- I just feel that sometimes my situation is too much for her and it's better to keep some thoughts and feelings to myself.

Justmehere: Thanks for your thoughtful reply! I am in therapy (have been for quite a while), am on medication, have a daily meditation practice and a Saturday meditation group, and am reading Pete Walker's book on C-PTSD. I also do journaling on a nearly daily basis. I've been torn between...

I have complex PTSD and am Bipolar. I'm on disability retirement and my wife has been very understanding and supportive. But my depressive moods and verbal raging upset and scare her. She tries, but she doesn't know what to say or do. Often now she says, "Oh, stop that," "Don't say things like...

Your pain comes through very clearly from your post. When I read "Time will heal," it reminded me of something that I read recently. Time alone does not heal- healing comes through grieving and processing experiences. Like ladee wrote, I also hope you seek out grief counseling, and I'm glad...

Thank you! I hope it will be!

Good point watundah- I met my wife online, progressed to phone conversations and then meeting in person. We both overshared a bit at first and stepped back briefly to get our bearings. It did work out in the long run. Wazetogo- I can relate to being guarded and uncomfortable sharing- I was in a...

Thanks for the encouragement. Walker says in his book that minimizing is symptomatic for many with Complex PTSD. I'll try not to compare or minimize- my experiences have led to me being on disability retirement at age 53 and struggling with day to day personal maintenance, so I guess what I...

Leonard Cohen wrote: "There is a crack in everything/that's how the Light gets in." Here's hoping the Light gets in for all of us!

Hello! I'm new to this forum. My complex-PTSD stems from a chaotic/unpredictable childhood with both parents adult children of alcoholics and one of them was /narcissistic/mentally ill and the other a workaholic. I also suffered from severe bullying and medical trauma. It doesn't seem so bad...