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Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle @drdoylesays.bsky.social · 25m

Our nervous & endocrine systems don't care if we, or anybody else, think whatever happened to us was "actually" trauma. Even if it was just "everyday life," we have to deal w/ its impact on us specifically.

Shame & "shoulds" won't change the work ahead. It is what it is.

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Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle @drdoylesays.bsky.social · 3h

The backbone of realistic trauma recovery is a relationship w/ ourselves we can trust. Trauma Brain will try effortfully to get us to disbelieve, distrust, & belittle ourselves.

We gotta work, daily, hourly, to be on our own side & have our own back against old conditioning.

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Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle @drdoylesays.bsky.social · 6h

#inktober2025 Day 9, prompt: “heavy”

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Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle @drdoylesays.bsky.social · 6h

Our traumatized nervous system is going to fall right into feeling controlled, trapped, and/or in trouble if we try to force ourselves to do things. Don't try to bully or pressure yourself.

Think I'm going to try this behavior for two minutes, & always leave yourself an out.

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Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle @drdoylesays.bsky.social · 7h

Yes: it's overwhelmingly unfair that what happened TO us requires us to work a recovery now where we have to do specific, effortful things every day to be safe & stable. That shouldn't be on us.

We don't have to love it, even as we work our recovery & take control of our life.

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Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle @drdoylesays.bsky.social · 9h

The fact that we avoid or struggle w/ things we "should" do to achieve our goals is not about "laziness"-- it's more often about conditioned resistance & anxiety.

Do not let the voices of your bullies & abusers convince you you lack the "character" or "will" to do this. Breathe.

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Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle @drdoylesays.bsky.social · 12h

Leaving a painful situation doesn't happen all at once. It often requires planning & patience & resources that don't just appear. The fact that it took time-- or is taking time-- is NOT evidence you "don't want it."

Just stay focused on today's baby steps & micro choices.

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Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle @drdoylesays.bsky.social · 15h

Very often our traumatized nervous system registers feeling controlled, trapped, or "in trouble" in nuanced ways that aren't immediately observable.

If you're having a trauma flavored reaction, check in to see if or how your inner self is picking up on something subtle.

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Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle @drdoylesays.bsky.social · 1d

Trauma survivors very frequently blame ourselves if we're misunderstood-- even though humans misunderstand (& misrepresent) each other all the time.

There are gonna be people who wouldn't understand if you spelled it out for them w/ a Speak & Spell-- & that's not on you. Really.

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Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle @drdoylesays.bsky.social · 1d

#inktober2025 Day 8, prompt: “reckless”

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Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle @drdoylesays.bsky.social · 1d

If everything that trauma survivors felt was our fault and/or our responsibility actually was our fault or our responsibility, we'd be wielding some incredible supernatural power over the world. I mean, goddamn, Sam.

Good thing that's just Trauma Brain f*cking with us.

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Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle @drdoylesays.bsky.social · 1d

A certain amount of this trauma recovery thing is about extending ourselves grace when every scrap of conditioning we've ever experienced is caustically asserting we don't "deserve" it.

That's not an easy or intuitive ask, & it's okay to struggle w/ it & need practice at it.

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Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle @drdoylesays.bsky.social · 1d

The goal is not to be in an "argument" w/ our nervous system that is steadfastly insisting we can "never" be safe & "no one" can "ever" be trusted.

Even as we're working to shift our patterns, we need to validate our system's pain & vigilance-- it doesn't come out of nowhere.

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Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle @drdoylesays.bsky.social · 1d

The fact that we can, w/ consistency, compassion, & patience, reduce our vulnerability to trauma responses over time does NOT mean that we only suffered in the past because we "failed" to do the "right" thing.

We don't have the tools until we do, & we're not ready until we are.

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Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle @drdoylesays.bsky.social · 1d

There's no surer way for us survivors to be swallowed whole by our anger than to grit our teeth & refuse to acknowledge it. Yes, I understand anger can feel "pointless." But that doesn't mean we can deny or disown it & be "fine."

If it exists in us, we gotta clock it & honor it.

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Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle @drdoylesays.bsky.social · 1d

Here's to everyone struggling to grieve the loss of a family member after realizing, in the course of your trauma recovery, how profoundly they failed to protect you from an abuser once upon a time.

There are very few more complicated grieving tasks out there.

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Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle @drdoylesays.bsky.social · 1d

Chances are if you're reading this, you've had to make some tough choices & sacrifices to honor & assert your literal right to exist. Others may assume that's "dramatic," but you know the price you've paid for a chance at genuine recovery.

I see you. Keep baby stepping today.

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Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle @drdoylesays.bsky.social · 2d

#inktober2025 Day 7, prompt: “starfish”

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Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle @drdoylesays.bsky.social · 2d

Staying focused on our recovery identity & goals is a tough ask when we're head f*cked about our level of dependence or powerlessness in the moment. Don't let it melt you down. Breathe; blink; focus; & start at the top, reminding yourself who you are & what your life's all about.

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Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle @drdoylesays.bsky.social · 2d

There is nothing silly or stupid about the little soothing routines & habits that keep us focused & (relatively) regulated as we work our trauma recovery. Knitting, puzzling, fidget toys & apps-- they're not just "distraction." They literally, physically help us cope & process.

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Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle @drdoylesays.bsky.social · 2d

Running around w/ a constantly activated "fight" response doesn't mean you "hate people" or you're "destined" to be alone forever. It likely means part of you is sick & tired of being invalidated, & needs explicit attention in your internal work-- & it's done waiting & hoping.

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Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle @drdoylesays.bsky.social · 2d

Imagining the family & mentors we wish we'd had is a mental focus tool that got many of us through periods of abuse, neglect, & bullying-- & a tool we can intentionally leverage now in our trauma recovery.

It's not "playing make believe." It's marshaling our internal resources.

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Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle @drdoylesays.bsky.social · 2d

Every time we engage our pain or fear w/ compassion patience, acceptance, & realism, it makes a difference. It makes a dent in the neural pathways that drive our trauma responses. Our vulnerability to future trauma responses is diminished every time we have our own back.

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Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle @drdoylesays.bsky.social · 2d

You did not lack "character" or "toughness" or intelligence. You lacked safety, support, & realistic tools.

Extending yourself grace is not about "making excuses"-- it's acknowledging reality. You're not "the exception" who "should" have been able to figure it out"on your own.

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Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle @drdoylesays.bsky.social · 3d

#inktober2025 Day 6, prompt: “pierce” #NotAnArtist

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