Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) is a mental health condition caused by prolonged exposure to trauma. You might develop it if you’ve experienced abuse, neglect, or ongoing violence. According to a study on CPTSD, it “has a 1-8% population prevalence and up to 50% prevalence in mental health facilities.”[1]
The symptoms could include intrusive thoughts, nightmares, or flashbacks to the traumatic event. You might also experience emotional dysregulation, negative changes in cognition or mood, interpersonal struggles, and dissociation. CPTSD is similar to PTSD, however, it derives from complex trauma or ongoing mistreatment rather than a single event.
If you believe you are struggling with CPTSD, professional treatment can help. Usually, evidence-based therapies are used to help you process your trauma and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Medications might be used to manage specific symptoms or co-occurring disorders like anxiety or depression.
In this article, you will learn:
- What causes you to develop CPTSD?
- What are the signs of CPTSD?
- How is CPTSD treated?
What Causes Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD)?
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder is caused by recurring or long-term trauma. Repeated exposure to traumatic events changes the way your brain works, causing you to develop maladaptive behaviors and unwanted symptoms.
Some examples of trauma that could lead to CPTSD include:[2]
- Childhood abuse (physical, emotional, or sexual)
- Chronic neglect in childhood
- Domestic violence
- Witnessing ongoing violence
- Being in war or captivity
- Human trafficking
- Natural disasters leading to long-term struggles
- Chronic illness and long-term treatment or recovery efforts
- And more
CPTSD can result from any type of long-term or ongoing traumatic experience. It stems from experiencing traumatic events multiple times or suffering from various types of trauma. You are more likely to develop CPTSD if the trauma occurred in childhood.
What are the Symptoms of CPTSD?
CPTSD changes the way you interact with the world, yourself, and others. You might find yourself experiencing frequent reminders of your trauma, avoiding certain people, places, or things, and experiencing intense emotions that are difficult to control.
There are several categories of symptoms associated with CPTSD, including re-experiencing symptoms, avoidance symptoms, changes in cognition and mood, and hyperarousal symptoms.
The re-experiencing symptoms of CPTSD include:
- Intrusive thoughts or flashbacks of the traumatic event
- Nightmares or distressing dreams
- Physical reactions like fast heartbeat or sweating when thinking of the trauma
CPTSD can cause avoidance symptoms, such as:
- Avoiding thoughts, feelings, or conversations about the trauma
- Avoiding people, places, or things that remind you of the trauma
- Creating changes in your lifestyle or routine to avoid symptoms of CPTSD
You might experience negative changes in cognition or mood, like:
- Feelings of guilt, shame, or worthlessness
- Trouble regulating emotions like anger, sadness, or fear
- Depersonalization and derealization (feeling detached from oneself or the world)
- Dissociation (feeling disconnected from reality)
Lastly, CPTSD can cause hyperarousal symptoms, such as:
- Trouble sleeping or insomnia
- Irritability or outbursts of anger
- Hypervigilance
- Being startled easily
The symptoms of CPTSD can impact your ability to function in your daily life. It is also common to experience co-occurring conditions like substance use disorder, borderline personality disorder (BPD), anxiety conditions, and more. You might have a hard time maintaining relationships, keeping a job, and making decisions, and you could struggle with self-harm or suicidal thoughts.
While CPTSD is not a diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), it is still a recognized condition. Instead of the DSM-5, mental health professionals use the ICD-11 to diagnose the condition.[3]
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How is CPTSD Treated?
Treatment for complex PTSD involves intensive and evidence-based therapy. You’ll engage in trauma-informed care to help you process, accept, and cope with the traumatic events you’ve experienced. You’ll also learn emotional regulation skills and better ways to cope with your symptoms.
It is common for mental health professionals to use trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to address a complex PTSD diagnosis.
While there is no medication specifically intended for CPTSD, some of the symptoms might be managed in this manner. For example, complex PTSD can lead to emotional dysregulation, mood swings, and outbursts of anger. These symptoms can be managed with a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic.
Even further, many people with complex PTSD experience substance abuse issues. If you have a co-occurring substance use disorder, part of treating your CPTSD is helping you overcome addiction. In this case, you’ll attend a dual diagnosis rehab center where you can receive mental health and addiction treatment at the same time.
Get Connected to a Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment Center
If you or a loved one experiences the symptoms of complex PTSD, it’s time to seek professional help. At Agape Behavioral Center, we use a combination of evidence-based, trauma-informed, and individualized treatment. We offer all the tools and support you’ll need to achieve long-term recovery from CPTSD.
Contact us today for more information on complex post-traumatic stress disorder and how to recover from it.
References:
- The Lancet: Complex post-traumatic stress disorder
- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Complex PTSD: History and Definitions
- Lippincott Journals: Complex PTSD in ICD-11: A Case Report on a New Diagnosis
