This is a group to create an item/servitor/mandala that deals with ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and Complex PTSD, specifically.
Ideally, I would like any work done by this group to be shared with others as free fields. I believe this is the best way to get @El_Capitan_Nemo’s attention to this topic. If a custom NFT is all that can be produced, then that is fine as well. I’m simply noting that a large amount of our population has this and there is no specific treatment for it that targets all of its aspects.
Why?
In the largest study conducted on ACEs, it was found that 67% or 2/3s of the participants had at least 1 ACE.
12% of the participants had 4 or more ACES.
ACEs are extremely common amongst empaths and those who are energy sensitive, which makes up a large amount of this forum. I would wager that the majority of us who are here and seeking healing have more than 1 ACE, based on my experiences here and reading all your posts.
Why should I take this seriously?
The study found found that the presence of four or more serious adverse experiences during childhood greatly increased adults’ risk for alcoholism, drug abuse, suicide attempts, and poor general health.
In Sebern Fisher’s book Neurofeedback in the Treatment of Developmental Trauma: Calming the Fear-Driven Brain, she observed that childhood trauma creates brain damage. You need healthy, loving parents for your brain to grow. Without the presence of such, parts of your brain will not activate.
This can lead to things like poor impulse control, symptoms similar to ADD/ADHD, and inability to form healthy connections with others, to name a few.
ACEs are not just the cause of mental health issues, but also physical ones. If you’re suffering from anything physical, the presence of ACEs may be the cause.
It found that many chronic diseases in adults are determined decades earlier, by experiences in childhood. The risk factors/behaviors for these diseases are initiated during childhood or adolescence and continue into adult life.
Why not use the PTSD field?
Complex PTSD and PTSD are vastly different.
PTSD can be obtained after one event. You can heal that event and for the most part be done with PTSD.
Complex PTSD occurs if you live somewhere that is consistently traumatizing. That means you’re beaten regularly, or shamed regularly. Violence can often be random, and you almost NEVER feel safe in this environment. Its constant, unending fear and anxiety.
Even if you’re not beaten or harassed, simply being neglected by your parents and never having a consistent source of encouragement of love can lead to the development of CPTSD.
The PTSD field definitely helps, but its not specifically tailored for this.
How should we go about tackling this?
I certainly have some ideas based on years of reading about topics related to trauma. I believe the best way to tackle this issue is from different perspectives.
I would love for this field to address all specific issues listed on Pete Walker’s website.
For example, dealing with all 14 common inner critic attacks listed on his site.
There is the neurological perspective that deals with areas of the brain consistently shutting down in response to triggers (called “emotional flashbacks”) here that has to be disabled. This could be a function of integrating the original PTSD field with this custom. Not just the disabling of a fear response, but leading one to take positive, beneficial actions in response to triggers.
In addition, a field like Archetype of Parental Love, that fills one with consistent good thoughts about themselves. One of the most common aspects of CPTSD is the inability to think good about yourself regardless of what you do.
This is called “Toxic Shame.” It is shame caused not by feeling that one has done something bad, but one is inherently bad and flawed. Its at the root of Codependency and CPTSD.
Forming strong, healthy connections to others is also essential to conquering CPTSD. This field should work to attract those who we could have healthy relationships with, allow us to begin repairing unhealthy relationships, or leave relationships that can not be salvaged.
Those who have CPTSD often have very bad attachment styles. Either they are very dismissive or avoidant of relationships, or they are extremely clingy and afraid of being abandoned. This field should work to allow one to have a healthy attachment style and resolve codependency on others. The concept of “not needing anyone, but happy to have them” or something along those lines.
More ideas are welcome. I have to work tomorrow so I am turning in and will add more as necessary tomorrow.
carefree you know
