PART ONE: Understanding Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD)
Life can be extremely unfortunate at times especially when one goes through events or circumstances that alter the normalcy of their life. A traumatic experience is one that poses a serious threat to one’s physical or psychological well-being. Examples of traumatic events include sexual or physical assault, violence, car accidents, war, natural disasters, discrimination, and chronic illnesses like cancer.
When a person experiences a traumatic event, they are likely to develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) although this is not the case for everyone. PTSD is characterized by the following symptoms;
Intrusive thoughts; Disturbing flashbacks, dreams, thoughts and memories from the traumatic event.
Avoidance; Shunning thoughts, feelings and places that relate to the traumatic event.
Arousal and reactivity symptoms; Difficulty sleeping, irritability, hypervigilance and anger outbursts.
Negative changes in mood and thought; Feeling hopeless, lost or detached from reality.
The main difference between PTSD and Complex PTSD (CPTSD) is that the former often happens as a result of one traumatic event while the latter happens over time due to continuous and prolonged exposure to traumatic experiences like child abuse or neglect, domestic violence or war. Someone with C-PTSD will experience the symptoms of PTSD and also the following key symptoms;
Difficulty regulating emotions and experiencing intense and unstable mood swings. Inability to feel positive feelings such as joy.
Negative feelings about yourself i.e experiencing shame, guilt or worthlessness.
Difficulty forming and maintaining healthy relationships, staying in unhealthy or abusive relationships, experiencing trust issues and social isolation.
Experiencing suicidal thoughts from time to time or feeling the need to harm yourself.
Physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, headaches, joint pain, nausea, back pain, high blood pressure, muscle tension and fatigue.
Feeling like nobody else would understand your situation, trauma, personality, background and struggles.
A Deeper Look Into Complex PTSD (CPTSD)
CPTSD often stems from childhood experiences but some adults can also develop it over time in cases such as abusive situations, war, enslavement, torture and discrimination like racism. People who have experienced multiple traumatic events or who have a history of mental health problems are at a high risk of developing CPTSD.
When a child is subjected to recurrent or persistent trauma, CPTSD (Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) may develop. The trauma suffered throughout childhood, a vital time for development, can have profound and long-lasting effects on a person's emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal functioning - this follows them into adulthood.
CPTSD in children is often caused by adverse childhood experiences like witnessing domestic violence or community violence, neglect, abuse, household mental illness, family dysfunction, parental separation or divorce, or household substance abuse. It is important to note that not everyone who experiences childhood trauma will develop CPTSD. However, individuals who have experienced repeated or prolonged childhood trauma are at a higher risk of developing the condition.
Many adult survivors of childhood trauma who experience C-PTSD have relational problems like people-pleasing behavior, codependency, abandonment issues, difficulty setting boundaries, need for external validation, low self-esteem, tolerance of abusive behavior, attraction to narcissistic partners and the need to fix others.
Dissociation: A Major Component of CPTSD
Dissociation is a common symptom of CPTSD and it refers to the feeling of disconnection from one’s thoughts, feelings, memories or sense of self. People with CPTSD often dissociate as a way to protect themselves from the painful and overwhelming memories and emotions from the trauma. It may provide temporary relief but it can also cause further psychological harm and more trauma.
You’ll know you’re dissociating if:
● You feel detached from your body as if you are observing events rather than participating in them.
● You have multiple or alternate personalities or identities.
● You feel as if the world around you is not real or that you are not a part of it.
● You have gaps in memory; forgetting entire experiences or blocks of time.
● You are unsure about who you are; your identity, beliefs or values.
● You feel like you are constantly at war with yourself.
Stay tuned for Part 2…..
