CPTSD and Attachment: Understanding the Lasting Impact and How to Heal

If you've ever felt overwhelmed in relationships—craving connection but pushing people away—you’re not alone. These experiences may not be about who you are, but rather what happened to you. For many living with Complex PTSD (CPTSD), attachment wounds lie at the heart of the struggle.


In this post, we’ll explore how CPTSD and attachment are connected, how early caregiver relationships shape adult attachment styles, and most importantly—how healing is possible.


What Is Attachment and Why Does It Matter?


Attachment styles are patterns of relating to others, formed during early childhood based on your interactions with caregivers. If those early relationships were safe, responsive, and consistent, you likely developed a secure attachment—the foundation for healthy relationships later in life.


But when those relationships were neglectful, abusive, or unpredictable, the result can be long-term emotional dysregulation, fear of connection, and difficulties in trusting others—core features of Complex PTSD.


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