Complex PTSD

Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) represents a heightened and more severe manifestation of PTSD, typically arising from prolonged exposure to repeated trauma spanning months or even years. While a single traumatic event, such as a car accident, may precipitate PTSD, C-PTSD typically arises from a series of multiple and recurrent traumatic experiences.

The types of traumatic events that can cause complex PTSD include:

  • Repeatedly witnessing violence or any form of abuse
  • childhood abuse, abandonment or even neglect
  • chronic domestic violence or domestic abuse
  • torture or kidnapping

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 was impossible or very unlikely (prisoner of war)
  • you have experienced multiple traumas (sexual abuse and now in a new relationship with domestic violence)
  • Being harmed by someone very close to you (trust)

Complex PTSD can have additional symptoms such as:

  • difficulty controlling your emotions and behavior (impulsivity, sexually acting out, self destructive behavior, drugs and/or alcohol misuse)
  • feeling very angry or distrustful towards the world
  • constant feelings of hopelessness or being empty
  • feeling as if you are permanently damaged, worthless and an altered view of personal identity
  • feeling as if you are completely different compared to other people
  • feeling like nobody can understand what you endured
  • avoiding friendships, relationships or having chaotic personal relationships
  • often experiencing dissociative symptoms such as depersonalization or derealization
  • physical symptoms, such as headaches, Shortness of Breath, vertigo, dizziness, chest pains and stomach aches
  • regular suicidal feelings

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