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Understanding Complex PTSD: Do I have it?

Writer's picture: Heidi McLainHeidi McLain

Did you know that Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) affects about 8% of the population? I


It’s a relatively new diagnosis. C-PTSD shares some characteristics of classic PTSD symptoms however it also includes additional symptoms related to difficulties with emotion regulation, self-concept, and interpersonal relationships. Because of these additional symptoms, healing from C-PTSD is a challenging journey and requires a multi-faceted approach.


How does one develop C-PTSD?


C-PTSD is a condition that develops over time in those who have been exposed to prolonged or repeated traumatic events. They may have experienced repeated abandonment, bullying, childhood abuse, domestic violence, experienced being held down or being held captive, or other ongoing trauma.



Contributing factors of C-PTSD include:


1. Bullying: Bullying often involves repeated acts of aggression, intimidation, harassment, or manipulation by one or more individuals over an extended period of time.


Due to the persistent nature of bullying, it can lead to feelings of powerlessness, fear, and chronic distress. These frequent occurrences, have a lasting effect on a person's mental health and well-being.


2. Childhood Abuse: Experiencing physical, emotional, or sexual abuse during childhood increases one’s risk of developing C-PTSD.


This is especially true if the abuse was severe, chronic, and perpetrated by a caregiver or trusted adult. Many children who experience abuse develop disassociation as a survival tactic or may develop a people pleasing persona as a subconscious survival tactic.


3. Neglect: Chronic emotional or physical neglect during childhood and leaving a child alone for long periods of time can also contribute to the development of C-PTSD. This creates a world that feels unsafe and leads to feelings of abandonment, worthlessness, and lack of safety.


Young children do not understand the concept of time and so when a caregiver or parent is chronically late or gone they begin to fear that their caregiver will not return making them feel high levels of distress.


4. Domestic Violence: Being in an abusive relationship where there is ongoing physical, emotional, or psychological abuse can result in C-PTSD, as the trauma is repeated over time. And/or the person is always living in fear of the next abusive episode.


5. War or Combat Exposure: Military personnel and war veterans who have been exposed to combat situations or other traumatic events during their service may develop C-PTSD due to the chronic nature of the trauma.


6. Captivity or Hostage Situations: Individuals who have been held down against their will, have not been allowed to leave frightening or perceived unsafe situations, have been held captive, kidnapped, or experienced prolonged confinement in often develop C-PTSD. This is a result of feeling powerless and others having complete control.


7. Childhood Trauma and Adverse Experiences: Growing up in an environment characterized by chronic stress, adversity, instability, or exposure to multiple traumatic events can also contribute to the development of C-PTSD. This can include poverty, living with a chronically or terminally ill parent or family member, living with someone who can’t and doesn’t regulate their own emotions, etc.


Not everyone who experiences trauma will develop C-PTSD, many factors such as resilience, genetics, coping strategies, social support, and access to mental health resources can keep an individual from developing C-PTSD.


What are some of the common symptoms of C-PTSD? Symptoms include:


1. Emotional dysregulation: These are intense and unpredictable emotional responses. It’s when an individual has difficulty managing their emotions. They often are feeling overwhelmed by their emotions.


Friends, family, and colleagues may describe having to “walk on eggshells” when they are around a dysregulated individual.


2. Negative self-concept: Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt, or a distorted self-image due to the chronic nature of the trauma. They internally say negative things about themselves to themselves and often withdraw.


3. Disturbances in relationships: Those with C-PTSD have difficulties forming and maintaining relationships. They distrust others and even themselves. They push others away…abandoning others before they can be abandoned themselves . Because of this many self-isolate.


4. Changes in beliefs about oneself or the world: Because of their loss of trust in oneself or others, they become hyper concerned about their safety and often develop distorted beliefs about reality. They abandon previous beliefs and embrace paranoid thinking. They feel a sense of hopelessness about the future.


5. Difficulty with regulation of attention and consciousness: Dissociative symptoms, include feeling disconnected from oneself, gaps in memory and time, or having flashbacks (feeling as if the traumatic events are happening again).


If you suspect that you may have Complex PTSD, the great news is there is hope and healing. With the right help from the correct professionals you can find joy and peace in your life.


Treatment for Complex PTSD often involves a combination of psychotherapy, such as trauma-focused therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy, medication (if necessary), and self-care strategies to help manage symptoms and improve overall well-being.


Therapy, coaching, medication, and self-care strategies like nutrition and daily exercise can help you manage symptoms, heal from trauma, and improve you overall well-being.


As a Trauma Recovery Coach I have many tools at my disposal to address Complex PTSD including: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Neurokinesiology, Hypnotherapy, and Mind Mapping. Schedule a complimentary consultation today and let’s jump start your healing journey today.

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