When I’d first read those books about people with complex PTSD, so many of them had described us as emotionally erratic and said we had trouble self-soothing. For the past two years, I had felt some form of shame whenever I wasn’t in a state of blissed-out gratitude and appreciation. But, Dr. Ham told me, these negative emotions are not simply something to endure and erase. They are purposeful. Beneficial. They tell us what we need. Anger inspires action. Sadness is necessary to process grief. Fear helps keep us safe. Completely eradicating these emotions is not just impossible—it’s unhealthy.
...more
