“Symptoms of CPTSD include intrusive memories, nightmares, emotional dysregulation, feelings of worthlessness, and hypervigilance. Charmaine may struggle to feel safe, even in environments where she is no longer in danger. These responses are her nervous system’s way of protecting her after years of living in survival mode.” I swallow hard, my chest tight. That’s me she’s describing, but it doesn’t feel like me. It feels like someone else. Like I’m not even in this room right now.

