Anniversaries usually bring us lots of joy because they help us remember something wonderful that happened in the past. Weddings, relationships, and even moving into a new house are all things celebrated with an anniversary. Unlike regular anniversaries, trauma anniversaries can be extremely difficult. Instead of helping commemorate a past event that brought you joy,…
Tag: relationship
Navigating the Holidays with PTSD
The holidays are a wonderful time of the year. They involve much-needed time off from work, family, and celebrations like Christmas, Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa, Krampusnacht, and Hanukkah. They also represent the end of a year and closing another chapter of our lives. Most of the time, we associate the holidays with joy and happiness. Traditional…
Love Isn’t All You Need (Here’s Why)
We’ve all heard the phrase “love conquers all.” It comes from the widely-held belief that only love is necessary for a healthy, happy relationship. Of course, the quote is partially correct. Individuals surrounded by love often lead better and happier lives, and love is important in relationships, especially romantic ones. Is love all you need,…
Dealing with PTSD in Relationships
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, can be hard to deal with in a relationship. It can be stressful at any time, but the closeness and vulnerability that come with being in a relationship can add to that. It can also cause issues with trust, closeness, and communication. This is especially true if your PTSD is…
Love Bombing & Oxytocin Addiction
Love bombing is a term widely used within the context of a romantic relationship. It’s essentially a form of manipulation that attempts to artificially create intimacy. When someone love bombs you, it means they lavish you with intense affection, attention, and praise in an attempt to win your trust and affection early in the relationship….
When Love Hurts: What To Do When You Can’t Get Out
When you first fall in love with someone, it can feel like nothing can go wrong. The butterflies in your stomach, the giddy feeling whenever they call or text you. You’re head over heels and can’t wait to see them again. We all hope that the person we’re dating isn’t dangerous or an abuser, but…
Childhood Shame Can Affect Adult Relationships
Do you ever feel like you’re not good enough? That no matter what you do, you can’t please anyone? If so, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. But where do these feelings come from? Maybe you were always the ‘bad’ kid in school. Maybe you were never good enough…
How To Find Authentic Connections With C-PTSD
If you struggle with C-PTSD, then you understand how difficult it can be to let go of the learned behaviors your brain developed to protect you in survival mode. On the road to recovery, many of us seek out genuine relationships but aren’t quite sure how to find success in them. There’s a ton of…
The Trauma Bond
In May 2011, I published a post about the “Betrayal Bond,” also know as the “Trauma Bond.” It’s also known as Stockholm Syndrome, but unlike that suggests, it’s not people bonding with their kidnappers. It’s an incredibly strong bond with one’s abusers. The Trauma Bond is often the reason women can’t leave a relationship rife…
Longing for Home
Since I haven’t had a home of my own for three years, I have adapted to this nomadic lifestyle. Whether it’s in a hotel room, AirBnB, or one of my host’s homes, I can “feel at home” rather quickly. It’s been essential, really. Otherwise, I would always feel out of sorts, like I didn’t belong…
Christine Rose 