Understanding Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD)...

FG Trade / Getty Images

Medically reviewed by Kira Graves, PhDMedically reviewed by Kira Graves, PhDYour life experiences can have long-lasting implications on your mental health. Traumatic situations that persist over time can reshape how you think, process emotions, and relate to others. People who endure trauma repetitively over long periods can have a higher risk of developing complex post-traumatic stress disorder, or CPTSD.CPTSD is not the same as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and CPTSD has recently been proposed as its own unique mental health condition. The CPTSD diagnosis would expand on the current PTSD diagnosis, with additional symptoms such as trouble managing emotions, negative thoughts about yourself, and difficulty maintaining relationships.If you have CPTSD, you may engage in self-destructive behavior or feel detached from your thoughts, emotions, or body. You may entirely forget the traumatic experience or continually relive it in your mind, which can decrease your quality of life and overall mental health. Treatments like medications and therapies are available to help you find relief and healthily process your traumas.CPTSD SymptomsCPTSD is a lifelong condition that can affect several areas of your life. Symptoms can vary from person to person but may include:Intense moods, such as anger, anxiety, or depressionImpulsive or risky behaviors, like substance useDissociation, or feeling detached from your bodyLow self-esteem, hopelessness, or self-blameChallenges maintaining relationshipsHypervigilance or feeling like you're constantly walking on eggshellsNightmares, flashbacks, or memory lapsesFrequent headaches or stomachachesConstant fatigue or weaknessSuicidal thoughtsIt's a good idea to talk to your primary healthcare provider if you have physical symptoms after experiencing trauma. They can determine if your symptoms are related to a condition associated with trauma, such as heart disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or autoimmune disorders. If you are experiencing a crisis, or know someone who is, call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for free and confidential support 24/7. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources or call the number below to reach the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) hotline.
How Does CPTSD Differ From PTSD and BPD?CPTSD can often mimic symptoms of other mental health conditions, particularly PTSD and borderline personality disorder (BPD). These conditions aren't the same, so it's important to know how they differ.CPTSD vs. PTSDPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur after you experience a traumatic event, such as war or natural disaster. Some experts believe that PTSD doesn't sufficiently capture the experiences of people who live through multiple traumas over several months or years. The current PTSD diagnosis may be better suited for one-time or limited-duration events.While some symptoms appear similar between both conditions, people with CPTSD tend to:Experience trauma earlier in lifeUndergo trauma perpetrated by people they know, such as family members or friendsLive with more severe symptoms that affect psychological and physical healthHave an increased risk of other mental health conditions like anxiety or ADHDCPTSD vs. BPDPeople with CPTSD and BPD can experience challenges with self-perception, relationships, and suicidal thoughts, but how these symptoms manifest is different. People with BPD experience highs and lows in their self-perception, while those living with CPTSD tend to have a constant negative self-perception.What Traumas Can Lead to CPTSD?Exposure to any kind of ongoing trauma can cause CPTSD. This might include long-term trauma consisting of:Childhood physical, sexual, or emotional abuseDomestic violenceWar or terrorismHuman trafficking and exploitationEmotional neglect from caregiversExtreme povertySerious accidentsNatural disastersPremature death of loved onesKidnappingSystemic threats to identity, such as racism, homophobia, and sexismWitnessing abuse or violenceMass shootingsReceiving a diagnosis for a life-threatening illnessHow To Get a DiagnosisHelp is available if you've lived through traumatic experiences and are experiencing symptoms that affect your emotions, thoughts, or behaviors. Contact your primary healthcare provider for a referral to a mental health provider, or talk to your therapist directly.When going through testing, your provider will ask you questions to determine the symptoms you're experiencing. They'll also offer several assessments that can help them learn more about the severity of your condition.CPTSD is still a new diagnosis, so more research and agreement among the psychiatric community about the diagnosis is still needed. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is the primary guidebook that mental healthcare providers use to diagnose mental health conditions. CPTSD currently does not have its own diagnosis in the DSM-5; it is seen as a more severe version of PTSD.The International Disease Classification system (ICD-11) does include a specific diagnosis for CPTSD. Your provider will usually use this system to give you an accurate diagnosis of the condition. According to the ICD-11, you need to meet the following criteria for CPTSD:Reexperiencing traumaAvoiding reminders of the traumaOngoing hypervigilance or heightened threat perception Difficulty managing emotionsChallenges with maintaining relationshipsSelf-critical thoughtsCPTSD TreatmentIf you receive a diagnosis of CPTSD, your provider can help you develop a treatment plan so you can relieve symptoms, process your traumas, and improve your mental health. Treatments may include therapy and medications.PsychotherapyTherapy is a valuable tool in managing CPTSD. It can help you process the trauma, reframe your thought patterns, manage your emotions, and equip you with skills to cope with difficult situations and maintain social relationships. Certain types of therapy may be more effective for CPTSD. These include:Trauma-informed cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-T): Helps you identify and reframe negative thought patterns that can influence your behaviors and emotions after experiencing traumaEye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy: Uses repetitive eye movements to stimulate your brain and help you process and express details of a traumatic memoryYour primary care provider, insurance, or a community clinic may be able to refer you to a therapist. It's important to ask potential mental health providers if they have experience in treating trauma. You may find that specific types of therapy (and therapists) are more helpful for you than others. There's nothing wrong with trying different modalities and seeing different therapists before committing.MedicationsThe National Center for PTSD only recommends three types of medication for treating CPTSD. They are:Zoloft (sertraline) Paxil (paroxetine) Effexor (venlafaxine) All three of these medications are antidepressants, so they may also help treat co-occurring depression and anxiety. If your condition is causing other symptoms like trouble sleeping or chronic pain, your healthcare provider may also recommend medications to treat specific symptoms.Living WellBecause the trauma endured by people with CPTSD may have occurred during vital developmental milestones of childhood, it can have a lasting effect on your life. However, you can recover and live a fulfilling life through treatment and proper coping skills. Stay in contact with your healthcare team, rely on loved ones for support, practice self-care, and prioritize your needs.Frequently Asked Questions

Does CPTSD ever go away?

CPTSD can be lifelong, but it is possible to reduce symptoms and work toward recovery with appropriate treatment and coping mechanisms.

Can CPTSD get worse with age?

CPTSD does not appear to worsen with age, but trauma during childhood may prevent you from developing skills needed to thrive as an adult. Therefore, it's possible for symptoms to emerge as you age.

For more Health.com news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Health.com.

Welcome to Billionaire Club Co LLC, your gateway to a brand-new social media experience! Sign up today and dive into over 10,000 fresh daily articles and videos curated just for your enjoyment. Enjoy the ad free experience, unlimited content interactions, and get that coveted blue check verification—all for just $1 a month!

Source link

What's your thought on the article, write a comment

0 Comments

Sign In to perform this Activity

Account Frozen

Ads