My Story Supporting My daughter with BPD caused by a childhood trauma

Why Overwhelm Feels Like Drowning (and How to Spot It Early) 🌊

by: Sami WardPublished on: 29/08/2025

When you hear the word “overwhelm”, it probably makes you think of a busy day at work, a long to-do list, or too many things happening at once. Stressful, yes — but usually manageable. For someone living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) or Complex PTSD, “overwhelm” is a completely different experience. It doesn’t feel like juggling too many balls. It feels like drowning.