Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) is a psychological condition that develops in response to chronic or repeated traumatic experiences, generally of an interpersonal nature. Unlike simple Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which is linked to specific traumatic events, C-PTSD involves prolonged situations of traumatic stress.
Key Features of Complex PTSD:
Interpersonal Trauma:
C-PTSD is closely related to prolonged exposure to trauma related to personal relationships, such as emotional, physical or sexual abuse, chronic neglect or neglect, or domestic violence. It is often associated with early trauma in childhood and adolescence, which can influence personality development and the way the person relates to the world. It is frequently accompanied by an insecure or disorganized attachment.
Variety of Symptoms:
C-PTSD symptoms can encompass a wide range of areas, including intrusion of traumatic memories, avoidance of reminders of the trauma, disturbances in mood and self-image, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, and problems with emotional regulation.
Disruption in Identity and Self-Image:
People with PTSD-C may experience significant disruption in their identity and self-image. This means that they may feel disconnected from themselves and have difficulty establishing a coherent, positive image of who they are.
Relational Difficulties:
Interpersonal relationships are often significantly affected. As a consequence, dysfunctional patterns can emerge in the way the person relates to others, including difficulties trusting, establishing healthy boundaries, and experiencing intimacy.
Emotional Regulation Problems:
People with C-PTSD often struggle with emotional regulation. That means they may experience sudden mood swings, episodes of intense anger, chronic anxiety, social phobia, or periods of hopelessness.
Adaptation to Adversity:
C-PTSD is conceptualized as an adaptive response to persistently traumatic environments. However, coping strategies that may have been helpful in the past can become dysfunctional as the person attempts to adapt to chronic traumatic situations.
Specific Treatment:
Treatment of C-PTSD typically involves specialized therapeutic approaches, such as trauma therapy and therapeutic relationship-focused approaches to address the complexities of symptoms and trauma history.
