Shattered Souls: Unraveling the Complexities of PTSD

Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a more severe form of PTSD that typically develops after prolonged exposure to trauma, often occurring over months or even years. It is more common in individuals who have experienced repeated, continuous trauma, particularly during childhood or from caregivers. Although complex PTSD, also known as c-PTSD, was first mentioned in the late 1980s, it is not recognized as a distinct condition from PTSD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

The primary difference between PTSD and c-PTSD lies in the nature of the trauma that leads to their development. PTSD usually arises from a single traumatic event, while complex trauma occurs when the trauma is sustained over an extended period. The symptoms of c-PTSD are typically more intense and accompanied by a negative self-perception and detachment from the trauma.

While childhood trauma is a common cause of complex PTSD, it can also stem from other forms of prolonged trauma, such as domestic abuse or living in a war-torn environment. The symptoms of complex PTSD can overlap with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and it is not uncommon for individuals to receive a misdiagnosis of BPD when their symptoms align more closely with c-PTSD.

Symptoms of complex PTSD include:

· Behaviors that may be harmful to oneself, such as self-harm or substance abuse.

· Re-experiencing traumatic events through flashbacks.

· intrusive memories, and nightmares is a common symptom shared with PTSD.

· Physical symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, chest pains, stomach aches.

· Anxiety attacks can also manifest in both PTSD and c-PTSD.

· Hyperarousal, characterized by heightened anxiety levels, increased blood pressure, and rapid heart rate, is another shared symptom.

Additional symptoms specific to c-PTSD include a

· A negative self-view.

· Feelings of shame, guilt, and helplessness that persist even after the abuse has ended.

· Loss of systems of meaning, where individuals may lose faith in their beliefs.

· The experience of depersonalization and derealization (a sense of detachment from oneself and the world), is also common.

· Complex PTSD survivors often find themselves in complicated relationships with their abusers and may feel detached from the trauma and the world around them.

· Difficulty controlling emotions, including explosive anger, persistent sadness, depression, and suicidal thoughts, is another symptom.

· Trust issues are prevalent due to past experiences, resulting in difficulties in forming healthy relationships.

Causes of c-PTSD stem from long-term physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Examples of traumatic events that can lead to complex PTSD include:

· Childhood abuse, neglect, or abandonment.

· Ongoing domestic abuse.

· Experiences as a prisoner of war.

· Living in a war-torn area for an extended period.

· Kidnapping, enslavement, or torture.

· Forced involvement in sex work.

The severity of symptoms may be amplified if the survivor of trauma has experienced discrimination based on race, gender, sexuality, or other factors. Factors that increase the likelihood of developing complex PTSD include experiencing trauma at a young age, being victimized by someone close such as a parent or partner, enduring trauma over a prolonged period, being alone during the trauma, maintaining contact with the perpetrator, and experiencing multiple traumas.

As c-PTSD is not officially recognized as a separate condition, treatment approaches are still being developed. However, current treatment options typically involve a combination of medication, psychotherapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), can help replace negative thoughts with positive ones, address self-harm and suicidal thoughts, and promote emotional regulation. Medications such as antidepressants may be prescribed to alleviate symptoms alongside therapy.

If you have experienced trauma in your life let the experience clinicians at Global Therapy help you move from negative thoughts, nightmares and hopelessness to the joy of thriving and being free to succeed in your life. Call us today at 479-268-4598 or fill out the contact form on our website https://www.global-therapy.com/