DeepSummary
The podcast episode begins with Glennon Doyle and Abby Wambach discussing the concept of complex PTSD and how it differs from traditional PTSD. They are joined by Stephanie Foo, author of the memoir 'What My Bones Know,' who shares her personal experience of being diagnosed with complex PTSD and the challenges she faced in her life as a result of childhood abuse.
Stephanie explains how complex PTSD stems from repeated trauma, often at the hands of close family members, resulting in the individual feeling constantly triggered and experiencing 'the dread.' She recounts her journey of seeking help, leaving her job to focus on healing, and working with a therapist who helped her learn to communicate her needs and stay present in relationships.
The conversation also touches on the idea of giving what one never received, particularly in the context of parenting. Stephanie reflects on her new role as a mother and how her experiences have shaped her approach to loving and nurturing her child in a way she never experienced herself.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Complex PTSD stems from repeated trauma, often at the hands of close family members, leading to a constant state of hypervigilance and 'the dread.'
- Healing from complex PTSD involves not only processing the trauma but also learning to communicate needs and stay present in relationships.
- Self-flagellation and dissociation are common coping mechanisms for those with complex PTSD, but they can hinder true healing and connection.
- Relational healing, through the guidance of a therapist or supportive partner, is crucial for those with complex PTSD to learn how to exist fully in relationships.
- While challenging, it is possible to break the cycle of trauma and give a child the love and nurturing one never received as a child.
- Recognizing complex PTSD as a communal experience, rather than an individual defect, can help alleviate feelings of shame and isolation.
- Healing from complex PTSD is an ongoing process that requires patience, self-compassion, and a willingness to stay present and engaged in one's life and relationships.
- Seeking professional help, incorporating mind-body practices, and finding a supportive community can be invaluable in the journey of healing from complex PTSD.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “So if you get in a car accident and let's say it's in front of a Krispy Kreme, your brain encodes all of these details around you, like, maybe the guy who hit you had a blue sweater, and you're in front of this donut place. So it encodes all of this as potential threats because you're going through a traumatic incident.“ by Stephanie Foo
- “The problem is, you might have a limited number of trigger points in a single car accident, but complex PTSD is like if you got in a car accident every week for three years, so all of a sudden, you have a lot of different trigger points, because this is happening over and over and over to you.“ by Stephanie Foo
- “The dread, for me, was sort of this underlying current in my whole life that made me believe that I had to be perfect in order to be loved or not even be loved. I had to be perfect in order to be not hurt, to be safe.“ by Stephanie Foo
- “And the last part, and that's the part I think a lot of people don't put as much emphasis on, is the relational aspect.“ by Stephanie Foo
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Episode Information
We Can Do Hard Things
Glennon Doyle and Audacy
5/7/24