While post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a physical and psychological response to a single event that happened once and probably did not last long, complex PTSD (C-PTSD) is the body’s and mind’s response to a prolonged traumatic event (abuse, violence, etc.) or to several such events. Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (COMPLEX POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER) has its own distinct features, which we will explore in this article.
How Is Complex PTSD Different from PTSD?
First, it is important to note that complex PTSD causes psychological harm across multiple systems as a result of exposure to a prolonged event or to several events involving trauma. This is unlike PTSD, which is caused by exposure to one single event, and so its effects are different, both on the mind and on the body. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) “revolves” around a single event that happened once, whereas C-PTSD stems from a prolonged, repeated traumatic experience (for example, captivity, sexual abuse, ongoing violence in childhood and more). It is fair to say that a large share of people diagnosed with complex PTSD (C-PTSD) went through the prolonged traumatic experience in childhood, and the coping, which involves extreme survival states, stays with them throughout their adult lives. Coping with prolonged traumatic events in childhood can disrupt a person’s ability to lead a stable life.
The term “complex PTSD” was introduced in 1982 by psychiatrist Judith Lewis Herman, who studied various aspects of post-traumatic stress. These aspects include domestic abuse, incest, sexual assault and violence. In her book “Trauma and Recovery,” Prof. Herman coined the term “complex PTSD,” referring to prolonged, repeated trauma.
The emphasis in this distinction is on the harm caused to a person who is exposed to a traumatic event over a long period of time. Because the person is essentially focused on survival, there is no real opportunity for healing or recovery, and they are busy keeping their “head above water.”
Being exposed again and again to the same distressing event keeps a person in a “head above water” state: survival mode, with no ability to invest in the future. That is why the C-PTSD diagnosis is fundamentally different from exposure to a single traumatic event.
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Complex PTSD: What Are the Symptoms?
The range of complex PTSD symptoms is broad and includes the following:
- Difficulty with regulation: trouble controlling emotions, including anger or tension, drug and/or alcohol use, and suicidal thoughts (stemming, among other things, from the loss of self-image caused by the trauma
- Damaged self-worth: falling into people-pleasing patterns, lack of self-confidence, self-deprecation, and seeing oneself as worthless, defeated and without a place in the world.
- Guilt and shame: feelings that keep resurfacing as part of questioning the trauma. The person sometimes feels to blame for what happened to them and attributes every negative act or event in the world to themselves (“it’s all my fault”).
- Interpersonal difficulties: a person with complex PTSD may develop difficulties across all areas of relationships, because of the repeated harm they experienced at the hands of other people. They will often feel that “there is no one to trust” and that they are a lone wolf in the world. At times they may even become overly suspicious and avoid any relationship other than work or school connections.
- Various somatic disorders: for example conversion disorder, a condition in which a person experiences neurological symptoms such as numbness, impaired coordination, seizures and more. Other somatic disorders also include chronic pain.
Treating Complex PTSD
Treatment for complex PTSD can include a psychological component, which covers DBT, psychotherapy, individual sessions and clinical support.
Medication addresses the “downstream effects” of complex PTSD, such as depression (in which case treatment will include various antidepressants) and anxiety, for which anti-anxiety treatment will be considered.
We know that living with complex PTSD can be challenging and can involve difficulties with daily functioning. At Stella Center, we will try to help each person achieve a better quality of life and even bring back their smile through SGB treatment.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to a qualified professional to start on the road to recovery.
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