The inner critic us versus normies. I mean, where else will you go? Or that's the title of a

reading, right? The inner critic us versus normies. I mean, where else will you go? Or that's the title of a reading, right? The inner

critic us versus normies. Most people know the inner critic as that annoying voice that pipes up when

they make a mistake. But for those of us who grew up in chaotic or traumatic homes,

the critic didn't just form from everyday correction. It became fused with survival. It was the part of us

scanning for danger, trying to anticipate rejection, and keeping us small enough to stay safe.

That's why our critic often feels harsher, more constant, and more personal than what others

describe. Let's explore the difference between the intercritic for trauma survivors and for

normies. Number one. The source of the voice. For most people, the intercritic develops from

everyday socialization, teachers correcting, parents setting rules, peers judging. It's unpleasant,

but usually balanced with affirming experiences. For someone with complex

childhood trauma, the inner critic is often an internalized caregiver whose voice carried shame,

neglect, or emotional abuse. It isn't just critical. It's fused with survival. The child needed that

voice to anticipate danger, avoid punishment, and maintain some sense of safety.

Two, intensity and relentlessness. A non-traumatized person's inner critic tends to flare up

situationally. For example, before a presentation, a trauma survivor's critic can be constant

background noise, scanning for flaws, shaming every misstep,

and even attacking them for having needs or emotions at all.

Three, identity versus feedback.

Unless traumatized people, the critic might say, you messed up.

In complex trauma, it's more likely to say, you are a mess.

The critic doesn't just comment on

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