In this video, I share how my service dog has helped me with Complex PTSD symptoms. Service Dog Bene was trained as a mobility dog, but I trained him in tasks to help me with the CPTSD. It may be hard to watch the way CPTSD affects me, and anyone who might be triggered should avoid watching. I am one of many who suffer from a trauma related disorder. I'm sharing my experience with Complex PTSD for those who want to know how a service dog can help someone like me and to let those with PTSD and Complex PTSD know that you are not alone. You do not have to suffer in silence. There is help and support out there. I point out what symptoms I have that are Complex PTSD in this video.

Help Guide PTSD & Trauma: https://www.helpguide.org/homepages/...
National Alliance on Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/Home
PTSD Alliance : http://www.ptsdalliance.org/

[Video Description: (For my Viewers with Vision Impairment or Blindness)
2:04 CPTSD is the brain's response to repeated trauma that occurred over a prolonged period of time.
2:18 PTSD is being triggered.
2:39 Nightmares are a symptom of CPTSD
3:20 "D" stands for Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT)
3:48 Bene was new to DPT and wasn't comfortable laying on my lap like this yet.
3:59 Unfortunately Dash's energy was not helping Bene or me.
4:50 I have the best dogs.
6:01 Night time has always been the hardest for me PTSDwise.
6:33 I'm feeling not only emotional pain, but also physical discomfort from the CPTSD.
7:40 I wish I could simply WILL it away.
8:01 Dealing with the trauma helps me to heal my brain.
8:10 I loathed that my brain was affecting me like this.
8:17 I'm dissociating here. I edited down the length of time because it lasted a while.
8:23 Dissociation is a break in how the brain handles information. It is a disconnection from oneself.
8:46 Negative selfperception is a symptom of CPTSD.
8:52 I know this is hard to watch. But how Bene helped me is beautiful.
9:00 Watch and see.
9:07 Bene was making low pitched sound that were communicative.
9:15 He knew what to do.
9:22 Focusing on Bene's breathing often helps me regulate my own.
9:35 Breathing is a powerful way to cope with CPTSD anxiety.
9:43 I focus on the rise and fall of his chest.
9:54 When I didn't trust humans, I trusted Bene.
10:02 Emotional Dysregulation can be a symptom of CPTSD.
10:36 Dissociating again here. Edited down for time.
11:03 Dissociating again here. Edited down for time.
11:12 I had no clue I was dissociating this frequently for this long until I watched this footage.
11:31 You can tell I feel much better.
11:33 And it is all because of my service dog.
12:35 Detachment can be a symptom of CPTSD.
13:16 Bene is emotionally grounding for me.
13:24 Thank you for honoring my experience by watching this video to the end.
13:29 Let me know you watched to the end by telling me what brings you joy or happiness.
Text Found in all of Kelly's videos:
Text Beginning of the Video: Incredible Anyway, Instagram: @CourageouslyKelly
Text At The End of the Video: During the closing music, the end card has a photo of Kelly standing with a blue cane in her right hand and holding onto a handle on Golden Retriever Benevolence's green service dog cape. Kelly is wearing a blue Tshirt with Anna from Disney's "Frozen" on it that says"Live Your Truth." Service dog Benevolence is standing on Kelly's left side. Pet dog Dash is laying on the ground next to Kelly with his head on the ground next to Kelly's cane. The screen reads" Subscribe to Incredible Anyway with an arrow pointing to where the Subscribe Button is. Above Kelly's head is her Instagram Handle.

SUBSCRIBE:    / incredibleanyway  

INSTAGRAM:   / courageouslykelly  
@CourageouslyKelly

MUSIC: Artlist.io

FILMED: 06/2020

#cptsd #servicedog #ptsd