Feeling stuck in life can be deeply frustrating. It feels like no matter what you do, you can’t seem to break free from emotional pain or destructive patterns. If you’ve experienced prolonged, repeated trauma, especially in childhood, this “stuckness” could actually be a sign of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD).

CPTSD is different from traditional PTSD, as it stems from ongoing trauma and can impact many areas of your life. This can make it feel like you’re constantly trapped. Recognizing these signs in yourself is a crucial step toward healing. Here are 11 signs that your feeling of being stuck might be linked to CPTSD:

1. Chronic Emotional Dysregulation

Do your emotions feel out of control? With CPTSD, you may experience intense mood swings. This can look like going from calm to overwhelmed in a matter of minutes. It can feel like you’re stuck on an emotional rollercoaster, making it hard to find balance.

• Feeling stuck: You might notice that once triggered, it’s difficult to calm down, and it takes longer than usual to recover emotionally.

2. Persistent Negative Self-Perception

If you constantly feel like you’re not good enough, you might be dealing with CPTSD. The trauma can create a lasting sense of worthlessness or shame.

• Feeling stuck: It’s common to feel trapped in a cycle of self-blame or guilt, unable to shake the belief that you’re damaged or broken because of your past.

3. Difficulty Trusting Others

Do you find it hard to trust people or get close to them? CPTSD can make you fear that others will abandon or betray you, leading to isolation.

• Feeling stuck: You may avoid relationships to protect yourself, but end up feeling lonely and disconnected, unable to escape that isolation.

4. Intrusive Thoughts and Flashbacks

Are you constantly revisiting painful memories? Flashbacks or intrusive thoughts are common in CPTSD, leaving you feeling like you’re reliving the trauma over and over.

• Feeling stuck: These thoughts can make you feel mentally trapped, as though your trauma defines you and keeps pulling you back.

5. Hypervigilance and Anxiety

Do you feel like something bad could happen at any moment? Constantly being on edge is exhausting and can make you feel like you’re stuck in a state of high alert.

• Feeling stuck: This hypervigilance may create anxiety in everyday situations, even when you’re in a safe space, making it difficult to relax.

6. Avoidance of Trauma-Related Reminders

Do you go out of your way to avoid anything that reminds you of your trauma? While this might feel like a way to protect yourself, it can disrupt your daily life and create more problems.

• Feeling stuck: Avoidance can lead to emotional numbness, keeping you from feeling fully alive or connected to the world around you.

7. Dissociation

Do you ever feel detached from your surroundings or yourself? Dissociation is a coping mechanism that can make you feel disconnected from reality.

• Feeling stuck: You might lose chunks of time or feel like you’re watching life from the outside, unable to fully engage or make progress.

8. Relationship Difficulties

Do your relationships feel like a constant source of stress? CPTSD can make it difficult to set healthy boundaries or maintain stable connections.

• Feeling stuck: You might find yourself stuck in cycles of intense, tumultuous relationships or pushing people away to avoid getting hurt.

9. Self-Destructive Behaviors

Are you engaging in harmful behaviors to cope? CPTSD can lead to using substances, self-harm, or other risky actions as a way to deal with emotional pain.

• Feeling stuck: These behaviors can create a sense of control in the moment, but they ultimately leave you feeling more trapped in negative patterns.

10. Somatic Symptoms

Do you experience unexplained physical pain or fatigue? Trauma can manifest in the body through chronic pain, headaches, or stomach issues.

• Feeling stuck: The physical toll of trauma can make it feel like your body is holding onto the pain, even when your mind tries to move forward.

11. Chronic Feelings of Hopelessness

Do you feel like things will never get better? A pervasive sense of hopelessness can be a major sign of CPTSD.

• Feeling stuck: When it’s hard to imagine a positive future, you might feel trapped in despair, as though healing is out of reach.

Feeling Stuck Doesn’t have to “Stick”

If these signs resonate with you, know that you’re not alone—and you don’t have to stay stuck. At Empower Counseling, we specialize in helping individuals untangle the complex web of emotions, memories, and behaviors tied to CPTSD. Our team has advanced training in trauma-focused therapies, like EMDR therapy, and we understand how overwhelming it can feel to face these challenges on your own.

But healing is possible, and you don’t have to navigate it by yourself. We are here to provide the support, tools, and guidance you need to break free from the emotional and psychological “stuckness” that comes with CPTSD. Whether you’re struggling with trust issues, emotional regulation, or simply feeling stuck in your trauma, we can help you reclaim control of your life, step by step.

You’ve already taken a huge step by recognizing these signs—now let us help you continue the journey toward healing and freedom.