Why Love Feels So Hard with CPTSD (And How to Change That)

Does love feel overwhelming, triggering, or just plain scary? If you have Complex PTSD, your nervous system might be treating intimacy like a threat, even when you desperately want connection.

In this episode, I break down why CPTSD makes love feel so complicated, what's actually happening in your nervous system when someone gets close, and the real (messy, non-linear) path to trusting love again. If you're wondering about Complex PTSD and relationship, this episode is for you.

You'll learn:

• What CPTSD actually is and how it's different from PTSD
• Why your body goes into alarm mode when someone shows you genuine love
• How childhood attachment wounds show up in adult relationships
• Practical steps to start rewiring your nervous system for safety in love
• What to do when you get emotionally triggered by your partner
• How to support someone you love who has CPTSD

This episode is for you if:

• You pull away when someone gets too close
• You're constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop in relationships
• You know you deserve love but your body doesn't feel safe receiving it
• You love someone with trauma and want to understand how to help

Whether you're struggling to accept love yourself or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers a bit of hope and concrete tools for healing.

Resources mentioned:

Original blog post: https://www.sarahherstichlcsw.com/blog/a-cptsd-therapist-shares-tips-to-accept-love-as-a-complex-ptsd-survivor

PTSD vs CPTSD: https://www.sarahherstichlcsw.com/blog/ptsd-vs-cptsd-trauma-therapy

Free Attachment Guide: https://www.subscribepage.com/attachment-style-guide

Connect with the Reclaim Therapy Team: https://www.reclaimtherapy.org

Thanks for listening to Reclaim You with Reclaim Therapy!

To learn more about Reclaim Therapy and how to work with a therapist on the team, head to https://www.reclaimtherapy.org.

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Listening to this podcast does not create a therapist-client relationship with the host or any guest. If you are struggling with your mental health, or trauma-related symptoms, please seek the support of a licensed mental health provider in your area.

If you are in the United States and experiencing a crisis or thinking about harming yourself, please call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call 911 if you are in immediate danger. If you are outside the U.S., please reach out to your local emergency number or crisis hotline available in your country.

The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.