Complex PTSD can occur as the result of severe, prolonged and/or repeated trauma. It is often said that those subject to long-term, interpersonal trauma particularly in childhood are at increased risk of developing CPTSD.
This condition has a wide range of effects on everyday life including effects on personality, identity, memory, mood and emotional regulation.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition caused by severe, life-threatening trauma such as experiencing rape, a violent attack or witnessing a death or natural disaster.
Complex PTSD describes a more severe and long-term condition that can occur after prolonged and repeated trauma, particularly in childhood although this is not always the case.
It is often said that adults who have experienced prolonged childhood trauma can often feel like they don’t know who they are or where they fit in the world. This comes from a childhood of fear, the child tries to learn how they “should” act and how they “should” portray themselves in an attempt to stay safe. They never get to learn and develop their own identities.
Symptoms of complex PTSD are similar to the symptoms of PTSD. They include:
* Difficulties in controlling emotions
* Periods of losing concentration, blanking out or dissociating
* Flashbacks (visual, somatic andemotional)
* Full re-experiencing
* Panic attacks
* Sleep problems
* Nightmares/terrors
* Difficulties with identity
* Difficulties with body image
* Physical symptoms that can’t be explained medically, such as headaches, stomach aches, dizziness and chest pains
* Disturbed relationships
* Isolating from other people
* Inability to trust others
* Being vulnerable to abuse or exploitation
* Self-harm, suicide attempts and/or substance abuse
* Feeling ashamed or guilty
Complex PTSD can be caused by any type of severe and long-term trauma, and usually involves situations where the victim is (or feels) unable to escape.
The types of situations which can lead to CPTSD include:
* Long-term childhood abuse
* Long-term physical and sexual abuse
* Concentration camps or prisoner of war camps
* Prostitution, brothels or sex trafficking
* Organised child exploitation rings
A diagnosis of complex PTSD should only be made by a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist who gets to know the person over a period of time.
While there is no “cure” for CPTSD, recovery means getting to a point where the symptoms are more tolerable and no longer control every aspect of life. It is very often about learning self-management rather than cure. The main form of treatment for complex PTSD is long-term psychological therapy. This helps people slowly find ways to deal with the symptoms and begin to regain their trust in others.
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