Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder results from repeatedly experiencing traumatic events, especially in the early years of a person’s life.
The occurrence of a single event may cause PTSD.
Although, C-PTSD stems from circumstances that persist for an extensive length of time that a person endures.
C-PTSD can be caused by long term trauma like:
- Abuse.
- Neglect.
- Captivity.
What are the 17 symptoms of complex PTSD, and how can their identification help individuals in the process of healing?
What Are the 17 Symptoms of Complex PTSD?
1. Emotional Regulation Issues
Common signs that may characterize the emotional state of the patients include:
- Fluctuating moods.
- Sadness
- Frustrated outbursts.
2. Persistent Guilt or Shame
A universal feeling of guilt or the belief that something is wrong with the person is something familiar to people who have experienced trauma.
3. Relationship Struggles
People with complex post-traumatic stress disorder often have a fear of being left behind.
Apart from the aforementioned, trust issues or being in unbalanced relationships are also among the factors that may occur.
4. Hypervigilance
Remaining on high alert because one is overly afraid of any danger is a big sign of trauma in comparison with the everyday stress response.
5. Dissociation
In many cases, ingrained coping mechanisms involve depersonalization or out-of-body experiences.
6. Poor Self-Perception
Feelings of worthlessness and being not good enough.
7. Nightmares/Flashbacks
A person might experience terrifying dreams or flashbacks.
8. Avoidance
Staying away from places or things that might stimulate the memories of the traumatic incident.
9. Emotional Numbness
Social isolation, the absence of joy, and the lack of love cause the feeling of loneliness.
10. Hopelessness
Persistent symptoms of helplessness characterize C-PTSD.
11. Loss of Interest
The diminishing of an individual’s interest in previously loved hobbies or activities often reflects emotional trauma in adults.
12. Sleep Problems
Sleep is sometimes associated with sleeping disorders, having a night full of twists and turns, or dreaming about something frightening, resulting in a loss of rest at bedtime.
13. Sudden Flashbacks
Suddenly, on cue, a person can be emotionally triggered by feelings they had in a traumatic event.
14. Lack of Concentration
Getting distracted all the time while doing activities and being unable to concentrate can disrupt daily routines and work duties.
15. Physical Symptoms
The effects of trauma can manifest physically as:
- Fatigue.
- Tense muscles.
- Pain that does not go away.
- Digestive problems or other similar symptoms in the body.
16. Fear of Abandonment
It is possible to lose relationships because of aggressive or paralyzing fears of losing loved ones.
17. Suicidal Ideation
In severe conditions where the pressure builds up to an intolerable level, one might get thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
Knowing what are the 17 symptoms of complex PTSD may help patients comprehend how trauma appears and promote further treatment and healing process.
Trauma vs Stress – What’s the Difference?
Are these terms the same?
Unfortunately, it is relatively simple to assume that trauma and stress are the same thing, while they are not.
Stress is a part of everyday life and is triggered by work pressure, change of job, or any time-bound pressure.
Trauma, however, refers to events that threaten one’s basic need for security and create long-lasting physical and/or psychological effects.
It is beneficial to understand this so that treatment plan goals for PTSD can be formulated appropriately.
For stress, just a change in the usual practice or even exercising proper self-care may be enough, but to recover from the trauma, there has to be an adequate focus on the effects of such an event.
How Complex PTSD Is Treated
No single solution works for everyone with C-PTSD, but some form of treatment is most likely to involve a combination at a given time.
Residential PTSD treatment programs admit that trauma permeates all aspects of daily life and aims to reform people’s lives. Common features include:
- Therapy
EMDR and Trauma-Focused CBT are therapies that the individual could utilize for reprocessing the different traumas they have been through. - Medication
The medication part of the treatment can take the form of antidepressants and anticonvulsant medications. These can reduce the symptoms of C-PTSD and provide the clarity of thought that fosters the associated psychotherapy treatments. - Dealing with Triggers
It is essential to help a person with PTSD recognize and learn to deal with the signals associated with trauma, such as the places, sounds, situations, etc. - Support Networks
Security in the relationships that can be created through therapy or peer support programs is the bond that makes the healing effort possible. - Self-Care Practices
Writing in a journal, using practices to focus the mind, such as mindfulness, or body-centered techniques, such as yoga, can help.
Having treatment plan goals for PTSD means developing an individualized plan and charting a specific approach to recovery based on the person’s case.
Signs of Emotional Trauma in Adults
People who never got a chance to work through their childhood experiences show signs of post-traumatic stress at adult age.
These may be:
- Conflict with others.
- Inability to handle criticism.
- Experiencing physical symptoms such as headaches frequently.
- Feeling a sense of ‘disconnect’.
The effects of this emotional trauma in adults affect relationships and the normal functioning of everyday life when not intervened.
Identifying these signs and seeking professional help from qualified personnel is essential.
A therapist usually deals with the root causes of the abuse, and ways of coping with the daily struggles are generally helped by re-establishing safety and emotional worth.
What Does a PTSD Attack Look Like?
Understanding what does a PTSD attack look like is crucial, especially when caring for the patient.
The condition is unique to every person, but some symptoms are thoughts that seem to be racing, shivering, sweating, and even a rapid heart rate.
Some faint, and others may be petrified; they could not move a muscle or utter a word.
They can be auditory (like a trigger sound or word) or somatic (some physical sensation) that floods the memories, which were suppressed but not erased, into consciousness in a highly emotional and very bodily way.
Learning when these episodes occur and how to respond to them with empathy can be significant.
Next Steps
C-PTSD can be challenging in navigating life, but there is help and guidance.
Therefore, seeking care that emphasizes client-centered treatment is an effective way of making positive changes and having renewed hope.
A complete recovery can be expected if there is a well-structured support system, counselors, and a consistent administration of the proper medication.
From the very beginning of our services, which include individualized PTSD treatment programs and a team of compassionate therapists, we are always present to gently accompany your recovery journey at Ruby Reflections Mental Health.
Contact Ruby Reflections Mental Health today to get started.
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