Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition where individuals experience some symptoms of PTSD but with some additional symptoms, that make the trauma complex. There can be a number of reasons why trauma becomes complex and this blog will hopefully help to explain why it occurs and what some of the causes might be.
Complex PTSD symptoms
The symptoms that could be experienced are:
difficulty controlling emotions
feeling very angry or distrustful towards the people and the world around you
constant feelings of emptiness or hopelessness
feeling as if you are permanently damaged or worthless
feeling as if you are completely different to other people and don’t fit in
feeling like nobody can understand what happened to you
avoiding friendships and relationships, or finding them difficult
Physical symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, chest pains and stomach aches
Regular suicidal feelings
Complex PTSD is a fairly new term in addition to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Complex PTSD and emotional flashbacks
If you have complex PTSD you may experience what some people call an 'emotional flashback', in which you have intense feelings that you originally felt during the trauma, such as fear, shame, sadness or despair. You might react to events in the present as if they are causing these feelings, without realising that you are having a flashback.
What causes complex PTSD?
Generally the types of traumatic events that can cause complex PTSD include:
childhood abuse, neglect or abandonment
ongoing domestic violence or abuse
repeatedly witnessing violence or abuse
being forced or manipulated into prostitution (trading sex)
being tortured, kidnapping or slavery
being a prisoner of war.
You are more likely to develop complex PTSD if:
you experienced trauma at an early age
the trauma lasted for a long time
escape or rescue were unlikely or impossible
you have experienced multiple traumas
you were harmed by someone close to you.
What treatments are there?
Some people can find standard treatments for PTSD helpful, for example seeing a therapist or a Psychologist but many people with complex PTSD could need more long-term, intensive support to recover.
As part of any treatment, the person experiencing complex PTSD should be offered support for other problems that could be experienced in conjunction with complex PTSD, such as depression, drug and alcohol use and dissociation. The treatment that is offered may depend on what's available in the local area.
If you think you may be suffering from complex PTSD firstly reach out to your GP for a diagnosis and they should also help you with what next and give you some advice on medication and therapy that is available. xx
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