Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) is a mental health condition. It can develop from being faced with trauma for a prolonged duration. It commonly takes place in those who have faced long-term harm, disregard, or imprisonment.

A U.S. review of 1,839 adults determined that 7.2% of the general population hit the mark for PTSD or CPTSD—3.4% for PTSD and 3.8% for CPTSD. This closely connects with the DSM-5’s assumed 6% PTSD ratio.

Recognizing what are the 17 symptoms of Complex PTSD and seeking proper medical help can greatly benefit the patients’ lives.

Do you find it difficult to deal with the symptoms of Complex PTSD? At Hopeful Minds Mental Health Clinic, our team consists of qualified professionals who follow the latest treatments. We guarantee a friendly approach as well as caring. Please, feel free to contact us for now.

Understanding Complex PTSD

Complex PTSD is a serious mental health disease.

It takes place when a person remains in alarming or traumatic scenarios for too long. This is particularly valid for children who encounter mistreatment or disregard over time.

C-PTSD is not the same as simple PTSD. While simple PTSD usually comes from one traumatic event, C-PTSD results from chronic stress. This stress can come from emotional neglect, domestic violence, or being locked up.

Patients with C-PTSD may display various cognitive, emotional, and physical symptoms, which means that they should understand and recognize those.

Here, we look into the 17 Complex PTSD main symptoms in deep detail.

What Are The 17 Symptoms of Complex PTSD?

The 17 Complex PTSD trigger symptoms are as follows:

1.Emotional Dysregulation

C-PTSD is characterized by one of the earliest symptoms namely severe limitation in feeling and showing emotions.
It can cause a possible flash of feelings of high-level anger, sadness, guilt, or shame to appear in individuals at any time and can seem like a burdensome condition to cope with.

2.Chronic Fear and Anxiety

Those dealing with Complex PTSD commonly face an unending sensation of being alarmed and pressured, even when there is no obvious risk. They may feel that their relationship and daily lives are being interrupted.

3.Negative Self-Perception

C-PTSD is a mental disorder characterized by a deep sense of inadequacy, reproach, or self-denunciation in the victims. Most survivors think they are the main factor in the trauma they experienced, and thus, often come to feel inferior and self-critical.

4.Flashbacks and Intrusive Memories

The occurrence of trauma and its effects on the person’s memory could come at any time like a surprise. The victims usually experience sudden pictures of a past event or terrible dreams causing them to be suspended in a vortex of emotional and physical agony.

5.Dissociation and Memory Problems

For those with C-PTSD, dissociation is a common experience. This slippery issue can cause memory loss and a feeling of reality slipping away. It acts as the brain’s shield against emotional stress.

6.Avoidance of Triggers

To avoid being emotionally triggered, individuals may find it easier to use certain places, people, or situations in their lives than to endure their feelings. But this may be the root of disconnection when people find it hard to get close to others.

7.Difficulty Maintaining Relationships

For people having C-PTSD, relating gets tricky. Fears of trust and emotional detachment may bother links hence making some distance from togetherness or even leading to mutual based sarcasm and mistreatment.

8.Hypervigilance and Startle Response

Always on guard, individuals walk a fine line. Even a soft sound or sudden movement can trigger a strong startle response, pushing relaxation away.

9.Emotional Numbness

Emotional numbness is a common experience among many people. It’s as thick as fog and they feel disengaged from both themselves and the world around them. This makes them cease to have any appetite for performing functions that they previously enjoyed.

10.Difficulty Controlling Anger

Unresolved trauma can turn into sudden bursts of anger. People with C-PTSD find it hard to express their healthy anger, straining their relationships. CPTSD aggression often arises from deep emotional wounds, leading to reactive anger and difficulty managing frustration.

11.Guilt and Shame

C-PTSD in humans feels like an elephant is sitting on them. A lot of people are convinced that they are the ones to blame for what they went through and are not fit for being in a relationship or for happiness.

12.Self-Destructive Behavior

Many may stoop to self-injury, substance misuse, or risk-taking to suppress their inner demons. These activities nevertheless constitute a desperate struggle for emotional liberation.

13.Sleep Disturbances

Chronic insomnia, night terrors, and restless sleep plague those with C-PTSD. Their minds struggle to process trauma while the world outside rests. CPTSD and sleep issues often go hand in hand, making restorative rest difficult to achieve.

14.Somatic Symptoms

Prolonged stress can lead to physical symptoms like chronic pain, digestive issues, headaches, and fatigue. C-PTSD weaves itself into the body.

15.Perceived Helplessness

Many feel trapped in powerlessness, believing they have lost control. This feeling can spiral into hopelessness and depression.

16.Loss of Meaning and Purpose

Survivors may feel like lost ships, struggling to find meaning in life. They often feel disconnected from personal goals and spiritual anchors.

17.Suicidal Thoughts

In moments of deep despair, some facing C-PTSD may have suicidal thoughts. Overwhelmed by emotional pain, they may see no escape from their suffering. CPTSD suicidal ideation is a serious concern, highlighting the need for support and intervention.

How Does Complex PTSD Affect Relationships?

C-PTSD patients are usually scared to bond with other people that is why they struggle to have intimate relations. They frequently have bonding problems.

They might stay away from relationships or else be too dependent on the other person which in the long term is not beneficial.

C-PTSD in relationships can create not only fear of rejection, but also detachment, the latter to which, therefore, cling many attachments as a result of relapse, is a common barrier to the functionality of relationships in everyone.

When Is C-PTSD Awareness Month?

C-PTSD Awareness Month occurs in June every year. It focuses to heighten awareness about Complex PTSD.
This month highlights the importance of:

• Recognition of C-PTSD
• Support for those affected
• Treatment options available

Various organizations and advocates promote education and resources during this time.

Are Complex PTSD and ADHD in Adults Related?

Studies suggest that C-PTSD and ADHD share such symptoms as impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and failing to maintain one’s concentration.
Oftentimes, C-PTSD in grown-ups may be mistaken for ADHD because these two diagnoses seem so much alike.

Diagnosis and Treatment of C-PTSD

Diagnosis

C-PTSD is diagnosed based on:

• Psychological assessments
• Trauma history
• Symptom evaluation

Mental health professionals rely on tools such as ICD-11 to distinguish C-PTSD from PTSD.

Treatment Options

Some of the best PTSD treatment centers in the world, such as Hopeful Minds Mental Health Clinic LLC, present unique therapies. These include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Exposure Therapy
• Medication Management

Additional Support

1. Support Groups

Trauma victims connect with others, finding emotional relief and support in their community.

2. Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques

Meditate, develop yoga, deepen breathing, bring quieting undertones to the organ system and release a life from stress to complement the whole family with emotional control.

3. Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Exercise regularly, eat healthily, and sleep adequately: this sounds a developed mind.

Conclusion

Complex PTSD is a severe disorder that needs appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Knowing, what Are The 17 Symptoms of Complex PTSD is the initial step towards recovery.
CPTSD is a severe disorder, but with appropriate treatment, support, and self-help, one can take control of their life. If you or someone close to you is fighting, seek assistance today.

FAQs

What is the connection between Complex PTSD and OCD?

The association between Complex PTSD and OCD lies in trauma. CPTSD patients might have both intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors as a response to trauma. Hence, one can conclude the conditions of CPTSD and OCD have both aspects of withdrawal of anxiety, emotional dysregulation and repetitive disorders.

Is dissociation a symptom of PTSD?

Dissociation is one aspect commonly manifested in PTSD and C-PTSD. Individuals either feel detached from themselves or their surroundings. This acts as defense against trauma.