PLEASE NOTE: I am not a counselor or medical professional; I am sharing my personal experience and information I’ve read that you can find the links to in the material shown here. If you need help, get help. I am not giving medical advice or providing counseling.
In the latest episode of Work Mom Says, we explored the topic of trauma and how it can impact you. Unfortunately, prolonged trauma can often result in a disorder called Complex PTSD, affecting you for years afterward.
Keep reading to learn what Complex PTSD is, the symptoms, and the effects it can have on a person far into adulthood.
What is Complex PTSD
Complex PTSD is a disorder that results from chronic or prolonged experiences of trauma. It can cause overwhelming feelings of sadness, anxiety, or grief that aren’t attached to any particular memory. While it is a subset of PTSD, the two disorders have different causes and can show up differently.
What is the difference between PTSD and CPTSD?
Typical PTSD is usually caused by experiencing or witnessing a singular traumatic event or a shorter period during which trauma occurs. On the other hand, Complex PTSD results from experiencing prolonged and repeated interpersonal trauma.
When you think of PTSD, you likely think of the guy that went to war in Iraq and returned with PTSD symptoms. In contrast, CPTSD is like that guy spent his entire childhood in the war. That is what it feels like if you’re a child raised in an environment with abusive or alcoholic family members.
What are the symptoms of CPTSD?
There is a wide range of possible symptoms of complex PTSD. The symptoms are similar to typical PTSD but could also include the following:
- Difficulty controlling your emotions
- Feelings of anger or distrust toward the world
- Feeling empty or hopeless
- Believing that you’re permanently damaged or worthless
- Avoiding relationships or friendships or having difficulty keeping them
- Depersonalization or derealisation
Causes of Complex PTSD
CPTSD is typically caused by experiencing recurring or long-term traumatic events. For example, if you experienced any of the following, you may be experiencing Complex PTSD as a result:
- Childhood abuse or neglect
- Sexual abuse
- Ongoing domestic violence
- Repeatedly witnessing violence or abuse
- A death by suicide in the family
- Having incarcerated family members
- Chronic poverty or housing instability
How can Complex PTSD impact your life
Complex PTSD can have lasting effects that impact you far into adulthood. It creates symptoms that can be very difficult to manage and confusing. For example, you might wake up in the morning and feel fearful and anxious and have no idea why. Nothing’s happening. The bills are paid. Everybody’s happy. And you just have this horrible feeling of pending doom. That’s a trauma reaction that can happen to people with CPTSD.
If left untreated, complex PTSD can eventually be life-threatening. Some people with CPTSD exhibit self-destructive and damaging behaviors as they try to cope with their symptoms. These behaviors can include misuse of alcohol or drugs, self-harm, or lashing out at loved ones.
Treatment Options
If you or someone you know is struggling with Complex PTSD, it’s best to seek professional help. From Psychotherapy to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing to Medication, there are a few different treatment options that can reduce your symptoms and give you the tools to manage them.
You can find more resources and support from the National Center for PTSD.