What is Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD)?

Written By Angela .

Complex post traumatic disorder is a diagnosis, not yet in the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, that is causes by a single event, but often longstanding and repeated exposure to trauma. The traumatic experiences are ones where there is little to no room to escape in the moment such as prolonged intimate partner violence, slavery, and genocide. This includes childhood abuse or neglect as well. I highly suggest checking out the Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) questionnaire to determine whether this resonates with you.

The symptoms of C-PTSD include:

  1. Re-experiencing: Nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts

  2. Avoidance: Avoiding what is associated with the traumatic experiences

  3. Sense of threat: Person experiences a sense of hyper vigilance and danger

  4. Affect dysregulation: Emotional reactivity, emotional numbing, dissociation

  5. Negative self-concept: Low self-esteem, shame, worthlessness

  6. Interpersonal disturbances: Difficulty forming secure relationships, avoiding close relationships, struggling to sustain relationships

  7. All of the above symptoms create significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. If functioning is maintained, it is only possible because of additional efforts.

Healing From CPTSD

Complex PTSD is known to take longer to heal from than single event trauma because of the enduring nature of the traumatic events. There are many implicit meanings that folks who meet criteria for CPTSD make as a result of these enduring traumatic experiences. While it does take longer to heal from, it is very possible.

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Angela .