Traumatic experiences affect us all differently and can leave lasting physical and psychological marks. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a more commonly known mental health condition that can develop after an individual is involved in a traumatic event, such as a serious accident or a physical/sexual assault. Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) differs from PTSD in that it develops after ongoing or repeated trauma, such as having an abusive childhood or repeatedly witnessing violence. It’s important to know the difference so people can better understand and put a name to the symptoms they have been experiencing. More importantly, individuals with C-PTSD may require different treatment interventions that aren’t used for PTSD which is why contacting a mental health professional can help create a treatment plan that caters to your needs and goals.
Causes
When someone experiences a traumatic event, their internal system can trigger survival instincts, such as a flight or fight response. Those survival instincts also accompany a rush of hormones in your body to help ‘survive’ the event which typically metabolizes after about 24 hours. When your body is constantly exposed to traumatic events that trigger your survival instincts, your nervous system will adjust and eventually, your survival instincts can be triggered in any type of situation whether there is an actual threat or not. This repeated trauma can develop into C-PTSD and according to studies, is more likely to develop in individuals with a lengthy history of trauma, experiencing trauma at an early age, or if you were harmed by someone that was close to you.
Symptoms
C-PTSD and PTSD share similar symptoms including re-experiencing trauma through flashbacks or intrusive memories, feeling on edge or irritable, and avoiding places, people, or memories that can remind you of the trauma. But C-PTSD entails additional distressing symptoms not associated with a PTSD diagnosis. Those symptoms can include experiencing dissociative symptoms like derealization, where an individual has a disconnection from reality or feeling like what is happening around you is not real, physical symptoms such as headaches or chest pains, and regular suicidal feelings or thoughts.
Treatment
PTSD is typically treated with trauma-focused therapy where the client recalls the events and memories of their trauma in a safe environment with the help of a mental health professional. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is also commonly used for PTSD to help change negative feelings, thoughts, or behaviors to teach clients how to positively respond to fear and triggers surrounding their trauma. While many other treatment options can be used for both PTSD and C-PTSD, C-PTSD often requires a more long-term and intensive treatment plan. Unfortunately, C-PTSD has not received specific treatment recommendations from The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, so mental health professional must rely on their knowledge about trauma and the client’s specific needs to create effective treatment plans.
If you have noticed that any of the causes or symptoms listed above have been severely impacting important areas of your life, reach out to your doctor or a mental health professional for further evaluation.
