Not Your Therapist

What Is Complex PTSD? (And Why So Many Adult Children Don't Realize They Have It)

Kayla Reilly MSW, LCSW

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0:00 | 10:33

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Think PTSD only happens to soldiers or people who have experienced one major traumatic event? Think again.

If you grew up in a home where you constantly walked on eggshells, felt responsible for your parents' emotions, never knew what version of Mom or Dad you were going to get, or learned that love had to be earned... there's a chance you've been living with the effects of Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) without ever realizing it.

In this episode, I'm breaking down what Complex PTSD actually is, why so many adult children of dysfunctional and emotionally immature parents don't recognize it, and how childhood trauma continues to shape your relationships, boundaries, confidence, and nervous system long after you've left home.

We'll cover:

  •  What Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) is—and how it's different from PTSD. 
  •  The childhood experiences that can lead to Complex PTSD. 
  •  Common symptoms like people-pleasing, hypervigilance, emotional flashbacks, perfectionism, anxiety, and difficulty trusting yourself. 
  •  Why so many high-functioning adults don't realize they're living in survival mode. 
  •  What healing from childhood trauma and family dysfunction actually looks like. 

Here's the truth: You don't have to experience one catastrophic event to be traumatized. Sometimes trauma is growing up in an environment where you never truly felt emotionally safe.

If you've ever wondered, "Why do I react this way?" or "Why can't I just let things go?" this episode will help you understand that your reactions aren't random—they're adaptations.

🎙️ Subscribe for more episodes on Complex PTSD, childhood trauma, emotionally immature parents, dysfunctional family dynamics, people-pleasing, parentification, boundaries, emotional neglect, and breaking the cycle.

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