r/CPTSD

Community Overview
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reddit.com/r/CPTSD/
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About r/CPTSD

Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is rarely discussed in public forums, even though healthy connection to others is an integral part of healing. This is a peer support community for those who have undergone prolonged trauma and came out the other side alive and kicking, but with wounds that need tending. This is also a place for friends and family of the victims to come for support.

The community at a glance

r/CPTSD is a Subreddit for Mental Health with roughly 495K members. It has been around since 2012. It uses a forum format for communication. It is the 10th largest community in the Mental Health topic page.

Roughly 107K members have joined in the past year. Popular discussion topics include Looking For A, Therapy, and Trauma. Product recommendations often mention books, books recs, and therapy.

On Reddit
Established 2012
495K Members

Community Topics

Community Features

Forum

This community has a forum

Subreddit Analysis

via GummySearch
Yearly: +107K members
Growth: +27.5% / year

Member growth over time

All time (yearly)

  • 2013: 28 members
  • 2014: 40 members
  • 2015: 218 members
  • 2016: 2K members
  • 2017: 4K members
  • 2018: 14K members
  • 2023: 237K members
  • 2024: 64K members
  • 2025: 83K members
  • 2026: 91K members

Past year (monthly)

  • Dec: 10K members
  • Jan: 10K members
  • Feb: 9K members
  • Mar: 9K members
  • Apr: 9K members
  • May: 10K members
  • Jun: 9K members
  • Jul: 9K members
  • Aug: 8K members
  • Sep: 8K members
  • Oct: 7K members
  • Nov: 4K members

Topics

  • Looking For A
    24 posts in the past month
    #1
    Looking For A
    24
  • Therapy
    20 posts in the past month
    #2
    Therapy
    20
  • Trauma
    17 posts in the past month
    #3
    Trauma
    17
  • Cptsd
    13 posts in the past month
    #4
    Cptsd
    13
  • Support
    11 posts in the past month
    #5
    Support
    11

Flair

  • Question
    33 posts in the past month
    1. What is your “central” C-PTSD symptom? The one that is most painful and dominant
    2. Is your comfort animal cats or dogs?
    3. If a therapist acknowledged that I have multiple instances of PTSD but will not use the diagnosis of C-PTSD, am I allowed to use this label for myself to find the right care?
    #1
    Question
    What is your “central” C-PTSD symptom? The one that is most painful and dominant · Is your comfort animal cats or dogs? · If a therapist acknowledged that I have multiple instances of PTSD but will not use the diagnosis of C-PTSD, am I allowed to use this label for myself to find the right care?
    33
  • Vent / Rant
    25 posts in the past month
    1. Made fun of by a stand up comedian
    2. Had the I was SA’d talk and he stopped talking to me
    3. "But where were your parents?" When are people gonna understand that the majority of us had no one? That there are parents who don't protect their children?
    #2
    Vent / Rant
    Made fun of by a stand up comedian · Had the I was SA’d talk and he stopped talking to me · "But where were your parents?" When are people gonna understand that the majority of us had no one? That there are parents who don't protect their children?
    25
  • Need a Hug
    4 posts in the past month
    1. how do I become a person?
    2. I need advice
    3. I’m sick and feeling alone
    #3
    Need a Hug
    how do I become a person? · I need advice · I’m sick and feeling alone
    4
  • Resource / Technique
    4 posts in the past month
    1. I am pretty sure due to a little childhood trauma & adult family toxicity, I think it makes me hypervigilant or paranoid? Anyone had something similar? How did you cope or improve?
    2. Giving up on healthy self-esteem
    3. I need to cry and connect with my emotions
    #4
    Resource / Technique
    I am pretty sure due to a little childhood trauma & adult family toxicity, I think it makes me hypervigilant or paranoid? Anyone had something similar? How did you cope or improve? · Giving up on healthy self-esteem · I need to cry and connect with my emotions
    4
  • Discussion
    4 posts in the past month
    1. Pete Walker book feels hard to go through after some period of time
    2. Crazy situation what do I do?
    3. Not trusting people until I have actually laughed around them?
    #5
    Discussion
    Pete Walker book feels hard to go through after some period of time · Crazy situation what do I do? · Not trusting people until I have actually laughed around them?
    4

Product recommendations

  • books
    37 posts in the past month
    1. best books for grief/acceptance phase of recovery?
    2. Best books on attachment theory/ finding out your attachment style?
    3. Best books for learning about fawn response?
    #1
    books
    best books for grief/acceptance phase of recovery? · Best books on attachment theory/ finding out your attachment style? · Best books for learning about fawn response?
    37
  • books recs
    23 posts in the past month
    1. best books for grief/acceptance phase of recovery?
    2. Best book for people with CPTSD that I never see recommended
    3. Can you recommend any accessible CPTSD books or articles, specifically for readers in African-American communities? Also, are there similar resources focused on individuals in prison? Looking for an engaging, non-academic tone, not studies.
    #2
    books recs
    best books for grief/acceptance phase of recovery? · Best book for people with CPTSD that I never see recommended · Can you recommend any accessible CPTSD books or articles, specifically for readers in African-American communities? Also, are there similar resources focused on individuals in prison? Looking for an engaging, non-academic tone, not studies.
    23
  • therapy
    16 posts in the past month
    1. What therapy has worked best for you?
    2. What is the best type of therapy for this?
    3. Can anyone recommend a good DID therapist that works remotely?
    #3
    therapy
    What therapy has worked best for you? · What is the best type of therapy for this? · Can anyone recommend a good DID therapist that works remotely?
    16
  • therapist
    10 posts in the past month
    1. Just got a therapist and not doing the best
    2. Best online psychiatry/therapy options?
    3. Best online psychiatry/therapy options?
    #4
    therapist
    Just got a therapist and not doing the best · Best online psychiatry/therapy options? · Best online psychiatry/therapy options?
    10
  • headphones
    3 posts in the past month
    1. Can anyone recommend headphones that totally block out sound 100%?
    2. Peace be with you all this weekend (recommend headphones and cc)
    3. Peace be with you all this weekend (recommend headphones and cc)
    #5
    headphones
    Can anyone recommend headphones that totally block out sound 100%? · Peace be with you all this weekend (recommend headphones and cc) · Peace be with you all this weekend (recommend headphones and cc)
    3
View full analysis on GummySearchSynced 11/8/2026

Frequently asked questions

Who is r/CPTSD for?
Best for Mental Health enthusiasts looking for a Reddit-based community with forum discussion.
Is r/CPTSD free to join?
This listing is not marked as paid-only. Access rules and any fees are decided by the community.
How many members does r/CPTSD have?
Roughly 495K members, based on figures reported by the community or its host. Member counts are approximate and change over time.
What platform is r/CPTSD on?
r/CPTSD runs on Reddit. Reddit communities (or "subreddits") are forum-based groups on the popular social news aggregation, web content rating, and discussion website Reddit. Reddit is commonly known as "the front page of the internet". Users submit content to the site such as links, text posts, and images, which are then voted up or down and discussed by other members. From investing Reddit communities, to professional ones, to ones just for laughs, you're likely to find a community for you on Reddit.
What topics does r/CPTSD cover?
On the Hive Index, r/CPTSD is organized under Mental Health.
How do I join r/CPTSD?
You can join r/CPTSD by clicking this link, or pressing the "Go to community" button above.
What are the Mental Health communities like?
Communities for people navigating anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, loneliness, trauma, and everyday mental health challenges. Find online support groups, peer support networks, and online therapy resources. Reddit has some of the largest and most active mental health communities on the internet, with Discord servers offering real-time peer support.
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Added 6/4/2026

Monthly Stats

11
Views /mo
(-45%)
11
Visitors /mo
(-35%)
0
Referrals /mo
(-100%)

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