WHAT IS COMPLEX POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (C-PTSD)?

WE SPECIALIZE IN THERAPY FOR COMPLEX PTSD IN OC

Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (also known as Complex PTSD or C-PTSD) is a specific form of PTSD. It involves many of the same symptoms, but the key difference is that the trauma that causes complex PTSD is repetitive, and occurs over an extended period of time. An estimated 3.3% of people develop complex PTSD in their lifetime.

SOME EXAMPLES OF LONG-TERM TRAUMA ARE:

• Experiencing domestic violence

• Experiencing child abuse, neglect, or abandonment

• Experiencing financial insecurity

• Living in a war-torn area

• Being a prisoner of war

• Being a child soldier

• Being part of a group targeted by genocide

• Being a victim of kidnapping or human trafficking

• Experiencing torture or slavery

Some additional risk factors can also make complex PTSD more likely to develop:

• Trauma at an early age

• Abuse by a close relative or friend

• Multiple traumas

• Long-term trauma

• Not having an escape from a traumatic situation

Often, individuals may be reliant on  someone that was supposed to protect them, making it difficult to escape. The abuse they suffer at a vulnerable time in their lives can cause changes in the brain that lead to lifelong troubles if left unresolved.

WHAT DOES COMPLEX PTSD FEEL LIKE?

Common Symptoms of Trauma

It can be hard to evaluate your experiences objectively because you might believe that you’re simply overreacting or face outside pressure downplaying your struggles (e.g. “It’s not that big of a deal, I  shouldn’t get this upset about it.”). If you’re unsure whether you’re experiencing complex PTSD, here are some common symptoms:

• Reliving memories — Nightmares and flashbacks that cause you to relive the sensory experience (e.g. sights, sounds, and smells) of traumatic memories, triggering powerful emotions that may feel overwhelming at times.. 

• Avoidance behaviors — Spending significant energy to avoid triggers (e.g. places, situations, people) that remind you of the  trauma.

• Sense of threat symptoms — You might feel like you always have to be on guard, leading to being jumpy, easily startled, and hyper-aware of your surroundings.

• Physical symptoms — You may experience dizziness, stomach aches, racing heartbeat, aches and pains, headaches, difficulty concentrating or memory issues, lethargy, and or trouble sleeping.

• Problems with self-esteem — Intense feelings of shame or guilt might make you feel worthless. You may even blame yourself for the traumatic event that you experienced (e.g. “Bad things happened to me because there’s something wrong with me.”).

• Problems with relationships — Having your trust abused by someone meant to protect you can make it difficult to trust others. Some people may slowly isolate themselves from friends and family or find themselves in abusive relationships

• Emotional dysfunction — You might have difficulty experiencing or sitting with  your emotions, which may feel overwhelming or intense at times. 

If any of these symptoms have been disrupting your daily life or have left you unable to enjoy the activities you once did, you may want to consider therapy for complex trauma.