What has been most helpful for you?

My best friend who has similar struggles has been very understanding.

Slow exposure to things that trigger me has made it easier to deal with when I need to. It has been years and years but I have made a lot of improvement. Learning how to not let your triggers take hold of you (distracting yourself, breathing exercises, etc) can really help

Finding a therapist who understands trauma and PTSD, who is actually present for my pain and offers another perspective while being empathetic. She describes her general approach as “attachment-based.” Things that gave me minimal improvement or none at all: medications, ketamine, TMS, ECT, kambo, CBT.

In my thoughts having a healthy support system and creating a safe and positive space within your home makes all the difference.

My therapist says trauma is stored in the body and I believe that wholeheartedly. Working on being aware of and working through those bodily sensations as they arise has been what's helped me. I didn't realize how disconnected I was from my body, and how that depersonalization was affecting me in my day to day life, until it started to improve

I found that having a healthy support system with my partner and with friends who are willing to communicate really made the biggest difference