What is CPTSD?

Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) has been gaining a lot of traction in the past year as more and more people are discussing it in clinical settings as well as in social environments. However, there can be some general confusion and murkyness about what CPTSD entails and how it might be impacting people. We wanted to take some time to clarify how this differs from PTSD and give clarity to some of the ins and outs of CPTSD. 

What is CPTSD and Where Does it Come From?

When the general public thinks about post traumatic stress disorder, there tends to be a lot of assumptions made about symptoms as well as what qualifies. There is often association of military members or veterans as well as individuals still using verbiage like ‘shell shock’ and ‘war nerves’. 

While this has subsided over the years, there still are misunderstandings when it comes to ptsd let alone CPTSD.  CPTSD is defined as prolonged or repeated trauma that occurs over an extended period of time. This can range from abuse and neglect to scarcity of natural resources. Furthermore, the trauma is inescapable and usually (though not solely) occurs in childhood, which means that the individual isn’t equipped to change their situation as an adult due to lack of agency, knowledge, and autonomy. 

CPTSD can manifest in both physical and psychological symptoms which can include, but aren’t limited to;

• Difficulty regulating emotions: mood swings, challenges when feeling intense feelings, feeling helpless when experiencing uncomfortable feelings, etc.

• Cognitive Issues: Difficulty concentrating, feeling like you’re ‘spacing out’, dissociating, difficulty remembering things, etc.  

• Self-Criticism: Blaming oneself for the trauma, having a negative perspective of oneself, feeling helpless and hopeless, guilt of being different/not having the ability to regulate, etc.

• Interpersonal Issues: having a hard time connecting with others, having a hard time trusting others, struggles with maintaining relationships, etc.

While you might notice some commonalities with the symptoms of CPTSD and PTSD it is important to remember that there is a large difference when it comes to how the trauma occurred itself. PTSD can be thought of as singular and nuanced while CPTSD can be thought of as consistent and chronic. 

How is CPTSD Treated?

While medication can be helpful to alleviate physical symptoms, talk therapy is where the bulk of symptom management is implemented. It can be helpful to think of CPTSD treatment as an ‘unlearning’ and ‘relearning’ when it comes to thinking patterns, emotion regulation, and self-care. It is also helpful to seek a provider who has a specialty in trauma work as to make sure you are receiving comprehensive care. 

Since our brains shape our thoughts and actions on past experiences, it’s important to note how trauma has impacted our reactions. Taking the time with a therapist to explore how complex trauma impacts us during our day-to-day life can be beneficial to start to replace some old coping skills for new ones since we are no longer in the environment of chronic trauma. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, or EMDR might be frameworks that your provider uses as a way to begin implementing alternative coping skills and thought modification when experiencing symptom flare-ups. 

What Can I Do on My Own?

Self-care is a huge part of recovery from CPTSD. We suggest trying to be compassionate and inquisitive during the recovery process in order to reduce guilt and shame. Try to become in-tune with your reactions to stress and how your body and brain experiences symptoms. It may also be helpful to identify who in your life feels supportive and emotionally safe to share your experience with in order to create community. For some, this may also include a support group. 

We also think it is important to think about how you will regulate your nervous system while doing this work. What feels good to let off some steam? What helps you feel grounded and at ease? Are you taking care of your basic needs? All of these questions are ones to answer to create your own care plan. 

All-in-all CPTSD can feel very complicated and confusing. While it may take some time to unlearn and relearn how to cope with our thoughts and feelings, we view it as a process that everyone deserves to experience in order to prioritize themselves and their future moving forward. 

The information on this website is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical or psychological condition and is not a substitute for therapy. If you are experiencing an emergency please call/text 988 or go to your nearest emergency room.