Chronic Overwhelm: a possible symptom of C-PTSD

Chronic overwhelm is a common and often overlooked symptom of childhood trauma and can last well into adulthood. Overthinking, difficulty prioritizing, inability to set boundaries and say "no" and inability to identify needs are often a part of this chronic state of overwhelm.

When a child grows up in an unpredictable or emotionally unsafe environment, their nervous system remains "stuck" in a prolonged state of alertness, constantly preparing for potential threats. Over time, this heightened state of vigilance becomes the body’s default mode.

As adults, survivors may feel persistently overstimulated, easily stressed, or unable to cope with everyday demands. Even minor challenges can trigger intense anxiety, fatigue, or shutdown responses.

This sense of overwhelm is not a sign of weakness, but a reflection of a nervous system that was forced to adapt to chronic stress and never learned to return to a baseline of safety and calm.