WHAT IS C-PTSD

Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) is recognised as a distinct, but related diagnosis to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 

C-PTSD develops in people who are exposed to repeated traumatic events or an extremely traumatic event. C-PTSD is associated with chronic sexual, psychological, and physical abuse or neglect, chronic intimate partner violence as well as other situations where the individual perceives little or no chance of escape.

C-PTSD does not respond to conventional PTSD treatment which can, in fact, be damaging (2)(4). Although PTSD is commonly found in patients with CPTSD, this is not always the case. 

People with CPTSD often experience depression, outbursts of anger, self harming/protective behaviours and feelings of shame, self blame and distrust. 

Symptoms of CPTSD can include;

• Impairment of affect regulation 
• Chronic self harm/protective behaviours
• Cutting/burning/ect.
• Eating disorders
• Substance use disorders
• Amnesia and dissociation
• Somatization (e.g. severe fatigue)
• Alterations in relationship with self (negative self-concept)
• Disturbance in relationships 
• Loss of sustaining beliefs 

People are more likely to experience CPTSD when the trauma was of an interpersonal nature. Extremely inconsistent or emotionally unavailable caregivers, or a chaotic upbringing can all contribute to the development of CPTSD. Further, predictors in the severity of symptoms include; duration of exposure to trauma and the earlier in the person's life that the trauma occurs.