Do You Have C-PTSD?
You’ve probably heard of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a condition that people often associate with soldiers, victims of violent crimes, or survivors of life-threatening events like car accidents or natural disasters. But there’s another form of trauma that doesn’t come from a single event—it happens over time, and it’s called Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD).
What is C-PTSD?
C-PTSD develops in response to prolonged, repeated trauma, often in situations where the person feels trapped or powerless. This type of trauma is most commonly experienced in childhood or within abusive relationships. Unlike PTSD, which often stems from one traumatic event, C-PTSD is the result of ongoing abuse, neglect, or emotional harm over months or years.
If you’ve grown up feeling unseen, unimportant, or unsafe in your own home—or have been in a relationship with someone who controlled, manipulated, or hurt you—you may be living with C-PTSD.
What Makes C-PTSD Different?
While the symptoms of C-PTSD can look similar to other mental health conditions like anxiety or depression, the key difference is the root cause. C-PTSD is a response to what was done to you, often by someone close to you, like a parent, caregiver, or partner. It’s not something you were born with or a result of brain chemistry—it’s a reaction to ongoing trauma that was outside your control.
Symptoms of C-PTSD
Living with C-PTSD can feel overwhelming. You may find yourself constantly reliving the trauma, avoiding anything that reminds you of it, or feeling like the world is always unsafe. Here are some of the most common symptoms of C-PTSD:
- Flashbacks or nightmares about the trauma
- Avoiding people, places, or things that remind you of the trauma
- Feeling dizzy, nauseous, or physically unwell when thinking about the trauma
- Hyperarousal, or being constantly on edge and alert for danger
- Struggling to trust others, or even yourself
- Difficulty sleeping, focusing, or relaxing
- Startling easily at sudden noises or movements
These symptoms can make everyday life feel exhausting and difficult to manage, but it’s important to remember that there is hope for healing.
How is C-PTSD Treated?
Healing from C-PTSD takes time, but there are effective therapies that can help you feel more in control of your life again.
Therapy: Trauma-informed therapy is key in treating C-PTSD. In therapy, you’ll have a safe space to talk about your experiences, work through the emotional pain, and start rebuilding trust in yourself and others. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is often used to help shift the negative thought patterns that keep you stuck in cycles of fear and shame.
EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is another powerful tool for healing trauma. EMDR helps you process painful memories in a way that reduces their emotional impact, so you can remember the past without reliving the pain.
Medication: In some cases, medication can be a helpful addition to therapy. While medication doesn’t treat the underlying trauma, it can help reduce anxiety or depression symptoms so that therapy becomes more manageable.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
Living with C-PTSD can feel isolating, but it’s important to know that you’re not alone—and you’re not broken. If any of this resonates with you, I encourage you to reach out. Healing from trauma is possible, and I’m here to help you explore the best treatment options for your unique experience. Together, we can work toward a life where your past no longer controls your present.
Contact me today for a free consultation to begin your healing journey. You deserve support, and I’m here to offer it.