So what if I was there: a guide to CPTSD

This book is about the symptoms of complex trauma: about the loss of meaning, flashbacks, the feeling of being different, and where these experiences come from. It discusses what trauma is, how PTSD differs from CPTSD, and dissociation as the essence of trauma. It explains that what traumatizes us is not only the threat to life but also unfreedom, isolation, and betrayal.

About the difficulties of diagnosis: CPTSD usually does not manifest itself strongly, is not necessarily linked to extreme experiences, but is always associated with chronic stress, and is very common: according to one of the leading trauma therapists Janina Fisher, various traumatic symptoms are present in 40 percent of people. Many disorders, including borderline personality disorder, are variants of addressing CPTSD as a problem.

The book is written in a lively and relevant language: it is a serious, deep, and very free conversation with a professional.

Anastasia Zhichkina is a social psychologist, researcher, PhD in psychology; author of the text "CPTSD: restoring connections" and the Telegram channel "CPTSD: a suitcase of texts".