Complex PTSD and Alternative Healing

Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) is a mental health condition resulting from prolonged, repeated trauma — often involving captivity or entrapment, such as childhood abuse or domestic violence. It includes standard symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), such as flashbacks and avoidance, along with deep emotional dysregulation, chronic shame, and severe interpersonal relationship difficulties. Unlike PTSD, which often stems from a single event, CPTSD arises from ongoing, long-term trauma where escape is difficult.

What are core symptoms of CPTSD?

Emotional dysregulation.. Intense anger, depression, or emotional outbursts.

Negative self image. Persistent feelings of worthlessness, shame, or guilt.

Interpersonal difficulties. Challenges in maintaining relationships and trusting others.

Other symptoms. Dissociation, physical symptoms like chronic pain, and dangerous behaviors.

While PTSD focuses on re-experiencing a specific event, CPTSD affects a person’s entire identity, self-view, and functional ability in relationships.

Addressing CPTSD

Star Feeding

Wičháŋpi Wóyute, or “Star Feeding,” is a Lakota healing ritual for trauma — where a person gathers stones representing emotional pain and then releases them in order to release the trauma — helping individuals process trauma and grief from loss or violence. The stones are subsequently released one by one into a river while speaking memories aloud, allowing them to release the trauma through a tangible, physical act. Instead of talking about the trauma, participants physically “feed” the trauma and then released it through ceremony. Researchers have noted this physical act engages both hemispheres of the brain to signify the processing of trauma. It is sometimes referred to as part of “Star Medicine” or “Star Knowledge” (Wicahpi Oyate).

This practice, which physically releases trauma to water, was modernized in 2019 to treat PTSD by engaging both brain hemispheres.

Gather objects. Collect small stones or tangible objects, each representing a painful memory or traumatic experience.

Go to water or nature. Travel to a river, ocean, or natural setting.

Release and speak. Hold each object, verbalize the associated memory, and throw the object into the water (or bury/burn it).

Keep one token. Keep a final stone as a witness to the grief, acknowledging it was witnessed rather than erased.

This method, which was historically banned by missionaries, has shown significant potential in reducing PTSD symptoms and intrusive thoughts.

Wiping of Tears

Istamniya Wicakicipakinta Pi is a traditional Lakota “Wiping of Tears” grieving ceremony for the community designed to help Indigenous people heal from trauma, deep, accumulated grief, and colonial impact. It provides a safe space for community healing through prayer, song, sharing, the burning of sage, and the offering of chokecherry tea and wasna (made from dried meat, rendered fat, and berries). This practice has been revived in urban Indigenous communities and is used as a tool to rebuild community connection to manage heavy trauma.

Its purpose is to address the profound grief and intergenerational trauma carried by the community, allowing members to heal. The ceremony originates from the Lakota Nation and brings together Indigenous relatives to share stories, mourn together, and “wipe away” the tears of those grieving from various causes, such as missing and murdered Indigenous relatives or community violence.