In episode 129 of The Wholeness Network Podcast we look back on our interview with Anna Runkle known as The Crappy Childhood Fairy. She has such a good way of teaching about the ever present CPTSD, short for complex post traumatic stress disorder or childhood PTSD as she refers to it.
In our conversation she helps us understand that many things we thought were character flaws are really brain development issues. Children need to have certain needs and wants met and when these are not met the brain and nervous system learns ways of coping that hurts the individual and those around them. Since characters on screen are relatable to many of us, let's look at five of them from the perspective of understanding CPTSD. Each of these characters exhibit several signs that can be associated with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD), which stems from prolonged exposure to trauma.
Don Draper from Mad Men
Identity Issues: Don Draper, originally named Dick Whitman, assumes the identity of a fallen comrade during the Korean War. This fundamental identity shift suggests a deep struggle with self-perception and non-attachment to who he is, common in CPTSD.
Emotional Dysregulation: Don frequently experiences intense emotions, from anger and frustration to profound sadness. His emotional volatility often affects his personal and professional relationships.
Avoidance and Numbing: Don often turns to alcohol, work, and extramarital affairs to avoid confronting his painful memories and emotions. This behavior is a way to numb his feelings and avoid dealing with his trauma.
Interpersonal Difficulties: Don struggles to maintain healthy relationships. His fear of intimacy and trust issues lead to a pattern of pushing people away, particularly those who try to get close to him, such as his wives and colleagues.
Severus Snap from Harry Potter
Chronic Feelings of Guilt and Shame: Snape harbors deep guilt over his role in the prophecy that led to the death of Lily Potter, Harry’s mother, whom he loved deeply. This guilt drives much of his subsequent behavior and choices.
Distorted Perceptions of Abusers and Power Dynamics: Snape’s relationship with Voldemort and Dumbledore shows a complex interplay of fear, respect, and duty. His shifting loyalties and internal conflicts reflect the difficulties he faces in reconciling his traumatic past with his current actions.
Difficulty with Self-Perception and Identity: Snape struggles with his sense of self-worth, viewing himself as irredeemable despite his efforts to protect Harry and fight against Voldemort. His dual roles and hidden motivations create a fractured sense of identity.
Bruno from Encanto
Social Isolation and Emotional Numbness: Bruno isolates himself within the walls of the family house, living alone and hidden for years. This self-imposed exile indicates emotional numbness and a desire to protect himself from further rejection and pain.
Distorted Self-Perception and Identity Struggles: Bruno struggles with his identity, feeling like an outcast and a burden to his family. His negative self-perception is a common symptom of CPTSD, where individuals often internalize the blame for their traumatic experiences.
Difficulty Trusting Others: Bruno’s reluctance to reveal himself and his visions to his family shows a lack of trust, stemming from past experiences where his trust was broken, and he was hurt as a result.
Hyper-Vigilance and Anxiety: Bruno’s constant state of alertness, especially when hiding and moving through the house, reflects hyper-vigilance. He is always on edge, fearing discovery and further rejection.
Darcy Bloom from Resident Alien
Chronic Feelings of Guilt and Shame: Darcy carries significant guilt over a traumatic accident she experienced while competing as a professional skier, which ended her career. She often internalizes blame and feels responsible for the outcomes of events.
Interpersonal Relationship Difficulties: Darcy's relationships are often tumultuous. She tends to push people away and has difficulty maintaining close connections due to her fear of being hurt or abandoned again.
Difficulty with Emotional Regulation: Darcy often has intense emotional reactions, swinging from anger to sadness or regret quickly. This difficulty in regulating emotions is a common symptom of CPTSD.
Meredith Grey from Grey’s Anatomy
Flashbacks and Intrusive Memories: Throughout the series, Meredith experiences flashbacks and intrusive thoughts related to her traumatic experiences, such as the drowning incident, the hospital shooting, and the plane crash. These memories often resurface during stressful situations.
Emotional Numbness and Difficulty Trusting Others: Meredith tends to emotionally shut down and distance herself from others as a coping mechanism. She has difficulty trusting people, including colleagues and romantic partners, fearing further loss and betrayal.
Distorted Self-Perception and Identity Struggles: Meredith struggles with her identity, especially concerning her mother's legacy and her own career. She grapples with feelings of inadequacy and constantly strives to prove herself, reflecting a distorted sense of self-worth.
Each of these characters made choices that make you want to crawl through the screen and tell them "STOP!" It makes no sense to us why they do some of the things they do, until you understand CPTSD. They are choosing in reaction to hurts that happened long ago or, in a lot of cases, neglect rather than guidance and care emotionally, physically, mentally, or spiritually.
If any of these characters remind you of your own life, there is help. There is a good reason for the things that you do. Our actions are often protectors. Connect with Anna for her FREE course. It might change your life.
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