We often spread awareness about managing anxiety, depression or low mood, but rarely do we ever speak about PTSD or C-PTSD, which is known as complex/ Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
Understanding PTSD and C-PTSD
PTSD also known as Post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychological disorder that can occur in people when one has been exposed to a traumatic event, a series of events or circumstances. Initially, professionals believed it only affected veterans, however over time research has found that PTSD can occur in people of any ethnicity, culture or nationality.
After a traumatic experience or situation, most individuals may experience feelings of fear or experience a range of reactions over a period of time. Although most people may recover from the event itself, some may continue to experience difficulties which could potentially lead to a diagnosis of PTSD. However, for a person to meet the criteria for a diagnosis, they would have been presenting with symptoms for longer than one month and it must be interfering with their daily functioning, school or work.
Symptoms of PTSD can include
- Experiencing physical signs of stress
- Having recurring flashbacks
- Avoidance behaviours
- Night terrors or nightmares about the traumatic event
- Always on guard
- Easily startled or frightened
- Trouble sleeping
- Trouble concentrating
- Irritability or angry outbursts
- Overwhelming shame or guilt
- Dissociation
Complex-PTSD (C-PTSD) is a relatively new term;you won’t find it in the DSM-5, which is the clinical handbook of psychological disorders. Whilst PTSD may be caused by an isolated event, complex PTSD on the other hand, is caused by multiple, repeated or continuous traumas. These repeated or continuous traumas could be anything from bullying to psychological or physical abuse or neglect.
Symptoms of C-PTSD can include
- Difficulty controlling their emotions
- Negative self-view
- Hopelessness
- Difficulty with relationships
- Detaching from the trauma e.g. depersonalisation or derealisation
- Issues with self-esteem
- Preoccupation with an abuser
The impact of PTSD and C-PTSD on the body
There’s a growing body of research that highlights the mind-body connection and that the ‘body keeps score’. Trauma can affect the body in a profound way and individuals with PTSD or C-PTSD may also experience physical symptoms. These physical symptoms may manifest as muscle tension, headaches, feeling sick for example.
Interventions for PTSD
There are various treatments for individuals diagnosed with PTSD, which can vary in length. These treatments can include talking therapies such as Trauma Focused – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CF-CBT) or EMDR (Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. Not all individuals find talking therapy to be helpful, and other forms of therapies such as group therapy, arts therapies (art/music/dance & movement/drama therapies) or dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) can be helpful.
Where can you get support?
It can be so overwhelming when trying to access support, so down below are a few ways to access support:
- NHS Talking Therapies
- ASSIST Trauma Care
- PTSDuk.org
- Psychology today – private therapists
- Counselling directory – private counsellors and therapists
- Samaritans – 116 123
- Beacon House