If Your C-PTSD Goes Into Remission, I'll Throw You a Pizza Party

If Your C-PTSD Goes Into Remission, I’ll Throw You a Pizza Party

It started as a joke. A playful post on social media designed to add a little levity to the very real, very heavy work that comes with being a trauma therapist. The idea was simple: “Hey, I’m a trauma therapist, and if we can get your C-PTSD into remission, I ABSOLUTELY WILL let you have a pizza party for your last session.”

I meant it as a light-hearted joke, a way to make the serious process of healing from complex PTSD feel a little more fun. But what happened next took me completely by surprise. The post went viral. Hundreds of people commented asking if remission was really possible, expressing their doubts, their hopes, and their desperation. Many shared stories of their own battles with C-PTSD, wondering if they would ever feel whole again.

So let me clear something up right now: Yes, C-PTSD remission is absolutely possible. And no, I’m not just throwing around empty words. Healing from complex trauma doesn’t mean you become perfect or magically free of every painful moment you’ve ever lived. But it does mean you’re no longer controlled by your trauma. The emotional flashbacks, the self-doubt, the overwhelming anxiety—they don’t run the show anymore.

So if you’re wondering how to cope with C-PTSD or even how to heal C-PTSD, here’s some good news: remission is achievable. It may not happen overnight, but with time, therapy, and the right support, you can absolutely move past the worst of it. And here’s what remission from C-PTSD might look like.

1. You Like Yourself

For many people with C-PTSD, self-loathing or a deep sense of unworthiness is a constant companion. Trauma can distort your self-image, leading you to believe you’re broken, unworthy of love, or that you’re somehow inherently flawed. But in remission, you start to like who you are. It’s not about perfection—no one’s perfect—but it’s about having a realistic, compassionate understanding of yourself.

You begin to see your strengths, not just your vulnerabilities. You recognize the work you’ve done to heal and grow. Your past no longer defines you. Instead, you know you’re a survivor, someone who has faced incredible challenges and has come out the other side stronger. It doesn’t mean the shadows of your past are gone, but you’ve made peace with them. And that peace is liberating.

I remember many clients who said in their first session "I definitely don't like myself. I try to not even think about themselves." By their last sessions they said things like "I am so strong and capable." and "Wow I can't believe it took my so long to realize how lovable I was." So yes, whatever your trauma made you believe about yourself, I promise it actually isn't true.

2. You Don’t Have Mood Swings All the Time

Living with C-PTSD can often feel like riding an emotional rollercoaster. One minute, you’re fine, and the next, you're overwhelmed by anger, anxiety, or sadness—often without any clear trigger. This constant shifting can make it difficult to trust yourself or others, because you’re never sure which version of yourself is going to show up. This is in large part because of emotional flashback. You are constantly re-experiencing emotions from the past.

When your C-PTSD goes into remission, your emotional state stabilizes. You can experience emotions in a balanced way, without the wild swings that used to leave you feeling out of control. You may still feel deep sadness or frustration at times (which is a normal part of life), but it no longer feels like your entire identity is consumed by those emotions. It also feels proportionate to what is going on. You feel upset only when something actually upsetting is happening. You don't regret feeling upset later. You start to feel more grounded in yourself, more able to ride the waves without being tossed around by them.

3. Your Relationships Feel Stable and Fulfilling

In the throes of C-PTSD, relationships can be incredibly difficult. Trust is hard to come by, and you may find yourself pushing people away or constantly questioning their motives. Intimacy can feel unsafe, and emotional closeness might trigger intense fear or shame.

But in remission, your relationships shift. You begin to trust again—not just the people around you, but yourself and your ability to navigate relationships. You can form healthy boundaries, communicate your needs, and engage in meaningful, fulfilling connections without the constant fear of abandonment or betrayal. The people who’ve shown you love and care really do love you, and you can believe them when they say it.

You also begin to recognize toxic relationships for what they are, and you have the confidence to set boundaries or walk away when needed. Healthy relationships become a source of comfort and support, rather than a source of anxiety or dread.

4. Your Triggers Don’t Trigger Emotional Flashbacks Anymore

Emotional flashbacks are a hallmark of C-PTSD—moments when something small, like a sound, a smell, or even a certain phrase, triggers an overwhelming emotional reaction that feels like you’re reliving a traumatic event. These flashbacks can be disorienting, exhausting, and terrifying.

In remission, emotional flashbacks lose their grip. The triggers might still exist, but they no longer have the power to send you into a tailspin. You’ve built resilience through therapy, self-awareness, and grounding techniques. They show up much less often when your trauma is processed. When something does trigger you, you can recognize it for what it is: an old wound being touched, not a present-day danger. You can respond to it with calmness, instead of panic, and it no longer dominates your emotional landscape.

5. You Sleep Well

One of the most common struggles for people with C-PTSD is sleep. Trauma leaves your nervous system on high alert, making it difficult to relax and rest. Insomnia, nightmares, or waking up in a panic are common experiences.

In remission, sleep improves. It’s not just about falling asleep faster (though that may happen) but about feeling more rested and restored when you wake up. You’re no longer caught in a cycle of hypervigilance or fear. The safety you’ve cultivated in your life extends to your sleep, and you can finally get the deep rest your body and mind so desperately need.

6. The World Doesn’t Seem Like a Bad, Scary Place

C-PTSD can often make the world feel like a dangerous, unpredictable place. You might constantly anticipate harm, or feel like the other shoe is always about to drop. Trusting others, or even the world itself, can seem impossible.

But in remission, your worldview shifts. You start to see the world through a lens of possibility, rather than threat. You’re still aware of danger, but it doesn’t dominate your experience. You know that the world can be scary, but you see the good too. You aren't lying to yourself your view is just a bit more balanced. You trust that, while life can be challenging, it’s not an endless cycle of suffering. You begin to feel safe in the world again, and with that safety comes a sense of freedom.

7. You Don’t Feel Tons of Shame and Like Everything Is Always Your Fault

Shame is a powerful emotion for those with C-PTSD. Trauma often leaves us with the belief that we’re somehow to blame for what happened to us, or that we’re unworthy of good things. In remission, this crippling shame starts to fade.

You realize that your trauma wasn’t your fault. You didn’t deserve it. And you no longer carry the weight of responsibility for everything that goes wrong. The way you cope with your current mistakes changes. You find that you're allowed to say the wrong thing or show up late without feeling horrible about yourself after. Maybe you're event allowed to GASP... make mistakes. You allow yourself to be human, to make mistakes, and to exist without constantly feeling like you’re doing something wrong. It’s freeing—and it’s an essential part of healing.

8. You Feel Calm and Happy Most Days

This is the one that catches a lot of people off guard. Healing doesn’t mean you’re suddenly perfectly happy all the time (spoiler: no one is). But it does mean that, more often than not, you feel a sense of calm and contentment that wasn’t possible when your trauma was running the show.

On most days, you can experience moments of joy, peace, and even excitement. Life feels more manageable, and you have the emotional tools to handle the ups and downs without being consumed by them. You start to look forward to the future, instead of dreading it.

So, can C-PTSD be cured? In some ways, it’s more about learning how to manage it and reclaim your life. Healing is not an all-or-nothing process, but rather one of steady progress. It takes time, patience, and hard work—but it’s not some far-off dream. It’s a real, achievable goal. If you’re wondering how to heal C-PTSD, remember that remission is within reach with the right treatment, support, and mindset.

And when you get there? Well, I’ll be waiting with a pizza in hand to celebrate your victory.

Let’s do this.