Part 3 of a three-part series.

In our last post, we explored how childhood trauma adaptations, originally rooted in attempts to cope with painful early experiences, could have developed qualities and characteristics in us that have served us well academically, professionally, and financially.

In this final post, we will explore how these adaptations can also become like Kryptonite, how we can begin to discern when and how this is happening, and then seek out the right kind of support to “reduce the Kryptonite.”

As we discussed previously, childhood trauma adaptations may morph into strengths or "superpowers."

But their flip side can act as "Kryptonite," undermining our adult lives when the context that necessitated these adaptations has passed, and the adaptations are now running us on autopilot.

Let’s illustrate this with examples from the adaptations we’ve used previously.

Hypervigilance may serve well in high-stakes environments requiring acute awareness. Yet, in everyday settings, this constant alertness can lead to burnout, stress-related illnesses, or strained personal relationships due to perceived overreaction to minor threats (perceived or actual).

People-pleasing behavior, while fostering harmonious relationships, can also lead to a loss of personal identity and boundaries. In professional settings, this might manifest as difficulty in saying no, leading........

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