Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle
@drdoylesays.bsky.social
Psychologist; SEEK Safely board president; marathoner. Realistic, sustainable trauma & addiction recovery.
One day at a time.
One day at a time.
It's important to remember: trauma distracted you from who you really are. Who you were meant to be, the life you were supposed to have.
We can't get those years back-- but we can, minute by minute, decision by decision, reorient toward our authenticity.
Better now can never.
We can't get those years back-- but we can, minute by minute, decision by decision, reorient toward our authenticity.
Better now can never.
January 3, 2026 at 3:20 AM
It's important to remember: trauma distracted you from who you really are. Who you were meant to be, the life you were supposed to have.
We can't get those years back-- but we can, minute by minute, decision by decision, reorient toward our authenticity.
Better now can never.
We can't get those years back-- but we can, minute by minute, decision by decision, reorient toward our authenticity.
Better now can never.
The big mistake many trauma survivors in recovery make is trying to overcomplicate it. We figure our wounds are so deep, seemingly straightforward tools like self-talk, visualization, or breathing "can't" make a dent-- but the truth is, realistic recovery is built on basic tools.
January 3, 2026 at 3:20 AM
The big mistake many trauma survivors in recovery make is trying to overcomplicate it. We figure our wounds are so deep, seemingly straightforward tools like self-talk, visualization, or breathing "can't" make a dent-- but the truth is, realistic recovery is built on basic tools.
It's hard to express how often trauma survivors feel judged-- by ourselves, by the people around us, by the culture, even by our faith or religion. We can't make others NOT judge us-- but we CAN learn to relate to ourselves w/ realistic self-compassion & grace, nudge by nudge.
January 3, 2026 at 3:19 AM
It's hard to express how often trauma survivors feel judged-- by ourselves, by the people around us, by the culture, even by our faith or religion. We can't make others NOT judge us-- but we CAN learn to relate to ourselves w/ realistic self-compassion & grace, nudge by nudge.
CPTSD will try to convince you that literally everything you feel & everything that happens to you is "evidence" you suck & deserve to suffer & are destined to suffer.
Remember today that CPTSD is not "objective"-- it says what it says to make you feel like trash. That's all.
Remember today that CPTSD is not "objective"-- it says what it says to make you feel like trash. That's all.
January 3, 2026 at 3:18 AM
CPTSD will try to convince you that literally everything you feel & everything that happens to you is "evidence" you suck & deserve to suffer & are destined to suffer.
Remember today that CPTSD is not "objective"-- it says what it says to make you feel like trash. That's all.
Remember today that CPTSD is not "objective"-- it says what it says to make you feel like trash. That's all.
Nobody who's not in your head or in your skin understands how hard you're working to stay alive & "functional." Do not take sh*t about your life, appearance, body, career, symptoms, or anything else, from someone who by definition doesn't know what the f*ck they're talking about.
January 3, 2026 at 3:18 AM
Nobody who's not in your head or in your skin understands how hard you're working to stay alive & "functional." Do not take sh*t about your life, appearance, body, career, symptoms, or anything else, from someone who by definition doesn't know what the f*ck they're talking about.
Because we've learned to "function"-- kind of -- through emotional flashbacks doesn't mean they're any less debilitating a symptom than sensory flashbacks or other trauma responses. Remember, emotional flashbacks are entwined w/ dissociation. They're more than a weird "feeling."
January 3, 2026 at 3:17 AM
Because we've learned to "function"-- kind of -- through emotional flashbacks doesn't mean they're any less debilitating a symptom than sensory flashbacks or other trauma responses. Remember, emotional flashbacks are entwined w/ dissociation. They're more than a weird "feeling."
Searching for the "part you played" in abuse or neglect you endured as a child is evidence of how deeply conditioned so many of us are by a culture that cannot stop blaming & shaming victims.
January 3, 2026 at 3:16 AM
Searching for the "part you played" in abuse or neglect you endured as a child is evidence of how deeply conditioned so many of us are by a culture that cannot stop blaming & shaming victims.
Because suicidal ideation doesn't happen to be as overwhelming a symptom now as it once was, doesn't mean your quality of life should be less of a priority in your recovery work. How do you think we avoid going back there?
Quality of life is THE project in trauma recovery.
Quality of life is THE project in trauma recovery.
January 3, 2026 at 3:15 AM
Because suicidal ideation doesn't happen to be as overwhelming a symptom now as it once was, doesn't mean your quality of life should be less of a priority in your recovery work. How do you think we avoid going back there?
Quality of life is THE project in trauma recovery.
Quality of life is THE project in trauma recovery.
Avoiding retraumatization might sound like a no-brainer for survivors in recovery, but we can be notoriously bad at realizing things that might predictably retrauamatize us until we're in the thick of it. No shame, it happens-- just pay attention & make adjustments going forward.
January 2, 2026 at 5:11 AM
Avoiding retraumatization might sound like a no-brainer for survivors in recovery, but we can be notoriously bad at realizing things that might predictably retrauamatize us until we're in the thick of it. No shame, it happens-- just pay attention & make adjustments going forward.
For trauma recovery to realistically succeed, we need to build time & activities into our daily life that involve thinking about things other than trauma recovery. Recovery burnout is real. Entertainment, hobbies, & passions are not anti-recovery-- they are recovery tools.
January 2, 2026 at 5:11 AM
For trauma recovery to realistically succeed, we need to build time & activities into our daily life that involve thinking about things other than trauma recovery. Recovery burnout is real. Entertainment, hobbies, & passions are not anti-recovery-- they are recovery tools.
Realistic trauma recovery often involves giving ourselves more time than we think we'll need. Giving ourselves more time, space & grace to get sh*t done; to accomplish goals; to regulate. One of the few concrete truths of trauma recovery I've learned is, EVERYTHING takes longer.
January 2, 2026 at 5:10 AM
Realistic trauma recovery often involves giving ourselves more time than we think we'll need. Giving ourselves more time, space & grace to get sh*t done; to accomplish goals; to regulate. One of the few concrete truths of trauma recovery I've learned is, EVERYTHING takes longer.
Don't underestimate the importance to your trauma recovery of making changes in your living space or other environments to manage sensory sensitivities. Lighting, noise level, even temperature-- all of them matter in creating a realistic Recovery Supporting Environment.
January 2, 2026 at 5:09 AM
Don't underestimate the importance to your trauma recovery of making changes in your living space or other environments to manage sensory sensitivities. Lighting, noise level, even temperature-- all of them matter in creating a realistic Recovery Supporting Environment.
Many survivors have been heavily conditioned to talk to ourselves in harsh, accusatory language-- not because it's what we "deserve," but because it's what we saw modeled & what we experienced. "What's wrong w/ you?!" is very different from "What's happening for you right now?"
January 2, 2026 at 5:08 AM
Many survivors have been heavily conditioned to talk to ourselves in harsh, accusatory language-- not because it's what we "deserve," but because it's what we saw modeled & what we experienced. "What's wrong w/ you?!" is very different from "What's happening for you right now?"
As much as trauma survivors hate having assumptions made about us, it's real important WE not assume things about ourselves, our capabilities, our limitations. CPTSD will try hard to convince us we "know" all the things we "can't" do-- but often it's just BS (Belief Systems).
January 2, 2026 at 5:08 AM
As much as trauma survivors hate having assumptions made about us, it's real important WE not assume things about ourselves, our capabilities, our limitations. CPTSD will try hard to convince us we "know" all the things we "can't" do-- but often it's just BS (Belief Systems).
A trauma recovery blueprint that involves a lot of closing off options, will fail. We survivors hate, & are often highly triggered by, feeling trapped or controlled. When possible, give yourself options & back doors-- not so many you feel overwhelmed, but enough to breathe easy.
January 2, 2026 at 5:07 AM
A trauma recovery blueprint that involves a lot of closing off options, will fail. We survivors hate, & are often highly triggered by, feeling trapped or controlled. When possible, give yourself options & back doors-- not so many you feel overwhelmed, but enough to breathe easy.
I believe an underappreciated part of trauma recovery is learning what we need to learn & developing the skills & tools to understand & realistically take control of our personal finances, so we are progressively less dependent on others for necessities & living space.
December 31, 2025 at 2:58 PM
I believe an underappreciated part of trauma recovery is learning what we need to learn & developing the skills & tools to understand & realistically take control of our personal finances, so we are progressively less dependent on others for necessities & living space.
Our current situation is our current situation. We don't have to love it. We can acknowledge exactly how much it sucks & does not represent what we want-- while at the same time realistically defining (maybe even guessing at, at first) the baby steps possible today to change it.
December 31, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Our current situation is our current situation. We don't have to love it. We can acknowledge exactly how much it sucks & does not represent what we want-- while at the same time realistically defining (maybe even guessing at, at first) the baby steps possible today to change it.
Realistic trauma recovery involves guesswork. No need to deny it. You're not always going to definitely "KNOW" the next step you need to take-- & that's okay. Keep coming back to the vision of the life you're trying to create, & break it down again & again to the next baby step.
December 31, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Realistic trauma recovery involves guesswork. No need to deny it. You're not always going to definitely "KNOW" the next step you need to take-- & that's okay. Keep coming back to the vision of the life you're trying to create, & break it down again & again to the next baby step.
Yes, "hyper-independence" can be a sign of early trauma, but that doesn't mean we have to give up our commitment to self-reliance in recovery because it's a "symptom."
The point of recovery is WE get to decide what defines us-- not a reflexive pattern in our nervous system.
The point of recovery is WE get to decide what defines us-- not a reflexive pattern in our nervous system.
December 31, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Yes, "hyper-independence" can be a sign of early trauma, but that doesn't mean we have to give up our commitment to self-reliance in recovery because it's a "symptom."
The point of recovery is WE get to decide what defines us-- not a reflexive pattern in our nervous system.
The point of recovery is WE get to decide what defines us-- not a reflexive pattern in our nervous system.
Because you're stuck in a toxic job, relationship, or situation-- it happens-- doesn't mean you're screwed w/ trauma recovery. Do what you can to lay the groundwork in your nervous system for making a change. Focus on emotional regulation & internal communication.
Don't give up.
Don't give up.
December 31, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Because you're stuck in a toxic job, relationship, or situation-- it happens-- doesn't mean you're screwed w/ trauma recovery. Do what you can to lay the groundwork in your nervous system for making a change. Focus on emotional regulation & internal communication.
Don't give up.
Don't give up.
As you define & develop your trauma recovery identity & life, pay attention to people who benefit from you staying stuck in fight/flight/freeze/fawn/flop mode. The people who delight in or profit from keeping you in a disempowered, dependent state. Just notice. Start to see.
December 31, 2025 at 2:54 PM
As you define & develop your trauma recovery identity & life, pay attention to people who benefit from you staying stuck in fight/flight/freeze/fawn/flop mode. The people who delight in or profit from keeping you in a disempowered, dependent state. Just notice. Start to see.
John Lennon once wrote a song called “Gimme Some Truth” that explained he was sick of hearing canned bullsh*t from the usual suspects— he wanted truth, raw & real. I feel that way about internet philosophers who write flowery fluff about trauma recovery.
Just gimme some truth.
Just gimme some truth.
December 31, 2025 at 2:53 PM
John Lennon once wrote a song called “Gimme Some Truth” that explained he was sick of hearing canned bullsh*t from the usual suspects— he wanted truth, raw & real. I feel that way about internet philosophers who write flowery fluff about trauma recovery.
Just gimme some truth.
Just gimme some truth.
Trauma survivors are used to having to make chicken salad out of chicken sh*t, MacGuyver-ing our way through situations many people wouldn't believe were real, & not talking about it. Survivors might seem "meek" sometimes-- but there is steel underneath. Never doubt it.
December 31, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Trauma survivors are used to having to make chicken salad out of chicken sh*t, MacGuyver-ing our way through situations many people wouldn't believe were real, & not talking about it. Survivors might seem "meek" sometimes-- but there is steel underneath. Never doubt it.
Trauma survivors in recovery are all rebels on some level. We're rebelling against what we were programmed to think; what we were conditioned to feel; what we were coerced into believing we "had" to do or be.
Recovery levels up when we connect w/ our inner guerilla.
Recovery levels up when we connect w/ our inner guerilla.
December 30, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Trauma survivors in recovery are all rebels on some level. We're rebelling against what we were programmed to think; what we were conditioned to feel; what we were coerced into believing we "had" to do or be.
Recovery levels up when we connect w/ our inner guerilla.
Recovery levels up when we connect w/ our inner guerilla.
As kids, we needed support in solving problems, not to be punished for having them. As adults working our trauma recovery, we need to break ourselves of that conditioned habit of shaming ourselves for struggling.
We didn't deserve that shame then, & we don't deserve it now.
We didn't deserve that shame then, & we don't deserve it now.
December 30, 2025 at 3:06 PM
As kids, we needed support in solving problems, not to be punished for having them. As adults working our trauma recovery, we need to break ourselves of that conditioned habit of shaming ourselves for struggling.
We didn't deserve that shame then, & we don't deserve it now.
We didn't deserve that shame then, & we don't deserve it now.