Most survivors have families of origin that were responsible for their forming complex post-traumatic stress disorder through committing chronic child abuse. So, the holidays, especially Christmas, are very difficult for them.   This article will explore the hazards of having a dysfunctional family of origin and ways to ease...

It’s that time of year when people around the United States overspend, trying to make their Christmas perfect. Folks run up their credit cards, wrap up their finds, and offer them as gifts.   However, for some survivors, this time of year is challenging because they have compulsive buying...

Every year, survivors face a world gone mad. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s bring with them countless traditions, and people buy things they cannot afford as gifts.   When you are a survivor of severe and repeated childhood abuse, you often equate the holidays with sour memories of what...

People have days for everything anymore. However, I am in a wheelchair and have been for over twenty years, so the one that is near and dear to my heart is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.   I hope that this article will not only raise awareness...

I realize that many people, including me, feel overwhelmed during this time of year. This is a page of fun to help alleviate some of the stress.     How many letters are in the Christmas alphabet? 25 — there’s noel. Did you hear about what happened to the...

***Trigger Warning*** This article includes an honest discussion about self-harming behavior. No triggering information is shared, but it is a highly triggering topic to some. Caution is advised.   We have published many articles on complex post-traumatic stress disorder and how it changes lives. However, this article is different...

As anyone who has dissociative identity disorder (DID) can tell you, one of the worst symptoms is hearing the voices of the other alters as they vie for attention. These voices can be overwhelming, leaving multiples shocked and dismayed.   This article will focus on how hearing the voices...

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) has long baffled those in the mental health field. The controversy surrounding DID, and the stigma even cause some mental health professionals to disbelieve its existence.   However, what if I told you that dissociative identity disorder isn’t a mental health concern at all? This...

***Trigger Warning***   This article includes an honest discussion about self-harming behavior, a topic that is highly triggering to some. Caution is advised.   Self-harm is something people do when they are so overwhelmed by emotions that they do not know what to do. Indeed, self-harming behavior does bring...

***Trigger Warning***   This article includes an honest discussion about self-harming behavior. Although this piece contains no descriptions of self-harm, this is a topic that is highly triggering to some. Caution is advised.     Self-harming behaviors leave lasting scars and often feelings of shame. For those who have...

Those of us who have survived complex trauma understand all too well the concept and actions of triggers. Triggers can throw us back to times in our lives when we were abused and otherwise harmed, leaving us shaken and reliving the past.   However, have you ever heard of...

We are all familiar with stories of women who are victims of abuse from their husbands. We’ve read the headlines where the offending spouse is arrested and imprisoned for what they have done to their wives.   However, how often do you see stories of men abused by their...