Episode 30: C-PTSD and Friendships - A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed

Out of My Mind in Costa Rica-Living with CPTSD

Episode 30

C-PTSD and Friendships

A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed

July 11, 2021

I recently have been in email contact with a dear old friend. A friend who also happens to have been my friend since 1984 when I was working at the Sacramento Children’s Home. He was a group home social worker at the time, and I was preparing to get into graduate school. We hit it off right away and were fast friends until, over 30 years later, he too became the victim of one of my emotional flashbacks. There is no need to go into the details here but suffice it to say it was a tsunami for both us and it buried my heart for many years.

Six years after our estrangement, this man had the courage to reach out to me. I’ve always been a sucker sincerity and courage. What follows in this episode is a series of emails we have exchanged over the last 72 days. I hope the connection between he and I resonates with you and compels you to consider reaching out to a long-lost friend of yours. Break the silence. I plan to, that’s for sure.

As usual, I am sharing some websites that I think will enhance this email exchange between two old friends who have been on the outs for some time. Enjoy the podcast and please tell your friends you love them.

Here’s a nice article by Jay Polish on how C-PTSD can impact relationships.

How Complex PTSD Can Affect Relationships, According To An Expert (bustle.com)

One of my favorite people out there helping people with Complex PTSD is Anna Runkle. She’s the Crappy Childhood Fairy and there is more information about her and her programs at the link below.

CPTSD: How to Have Better FRIENDSHIPS - The Crappy Childhood Fairy

I find a lot of good information on this website. I highly recommend you cruise around and check it out.

C-PTSD and Interpersonal Relationships (psychcentral.com)

Heidi Fischer writes this nice article on being in relationship with someone with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress.

Struggling With Friendship With Complex PTSD | The Mighty