C-PTSD
C-PTSD, or Complex PTSD, presents differently than PTSD due to differences in factors and symptoms.
While not recognized as an official diagnosis from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, (DSM-5-TR) and considered a fairly new diagnosis, Cleveland Clinic estimates that 1% - 8% of the world population experiences this type of trauma. Clinicians recognize C-PTSD clinically despite its absence from the DSM-5-TR.
What is C-PTSD?
C-PTSD is somewhat of an extension of PTSD that develops after chronic trauma. Trauma may be experienced in a single event or in a series, and two people who experienced these same events may react completely differently to the experience. Where PTSD is often associated with isolated events, C-PTSD often refers to prolonged exposure or repeated exposure to trauma over time.
Though PTSD and C-PTSD have overlapping symptoms such as flashbacks, avoidance behaviors, hypervigilance (or heightened awareness of potential danger), and negative thoughts and emotions. Where C-PTSD differs is having additional symptoms of trouble regulating emotions, trouble engaging in and maintaining relationships, and negative self-esteem and identity. These can be associated with PTSD, but are more commonly seen with C-PTSD.
The difference in symptoms is more commonly utilized to discern C-PTSD from PTSD, as PTSD can also occur from repeated events.
Types of Trauma
When we discuss trauma, there are many types and the way that it presents can vary. Think about experiencing trauma like being in a car accident: everyone experienced an accident, but every person’s impact, experience, and recovery looks different.
There is an unofficial collection of seven labeled traumas that can be referenced to help someone express, understand, or describe their experiences. The seven types of trauma may be defined as acute, chronic, complex, intergenerational, insidious, secondary, and cover. You can read more about these types of trauma here! The seven types of trauma are meant to help cover a variety of experiences and some may overlap.
There is no better or worse trauma. How you are personally impacted matters most.
What are signs of C-PTSD?
Signs may differ depending on the person and the trauma they experienced.
C- PTSD may feel like difficulty regulating emotions in situations that feel disproportionate to the emotional reaction. It may produce persistent negative self-talk, intense shame, and guilt, even when someone cognitively recognizes that these feelings may not match the situation.
Additionally, individuals may feel hopeless about change and believe they will always struggle. Some experience dissociation, where they recognize that traumatic events occurred, but feel emotionally disconnected from those experiences. This may feel as if the memories are distant, dreamlike, or not fully their own.
There are also often “emotional flashbacks,“ which differ from traditional flashbacks associated with PTSD. Emotional flashbacks feel like experiencing an emotion you felt in past situations as if you are reliving it in the present.
What does treating C-PTSD look like?
Treating C-PTSD looks different for everyone. Not only do our brains work differently, but our brains also respond differently to traumatic events. Treatment also differs depending on the traumatic event (or events) that led to development of C-PTSD.
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It's important to note that C-PTSD's roots in chronic events often means that healing may take longer. There is no correct pace for recovery, and sometimes getting started is the hardest part.
Collaborating with a counselor regarding what you’ve experienced and learning how, where, when, and why your body and brain react to certain situations, events, places, and people can help you start healing.
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