C-PTSD: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Coping

Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) is a response to a long-lasting, repeated trauma. While this type of trauma may occur as an adult, it is most often seen in childhood and adolescence. Symptoms are similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with an additional cluster of symptoms. 

C-PTSD treatment is similar to treatment for PTSD, involving different evidence-based psychotherapy (talk therapy) approaches, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and medications. A strong support system, journaling, and mindfulness are helpful coping mechanisms when a person is healing from C-PTSD.

PTSD vs Complex PTSD

Feeling stressed after a traumatic situation is common. You might feel anxious, have an increased heart rate, experience bad dreams, or get shaky. This may be post-traumatic stress (PTS). Acute stress disorder is the emergence of PTSD symptoms within the first month after a trauma. The symptoms can be very intense. However, you will only be diagnosed with PTSD if the symptoms don't go away within a month.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a clinically-diagnosed condition caused by traumatic events such as combat, natural disasters, violence, abuse, and more.

Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) is a response to a long-lasting, repeated trauma that lasts for months or years. C-PTSD is most often seen in those who experienced trauma earlier in life and is especially complex when someone was hurt by a caregiver or is still in contact with the abuser. 

Symptoms

Symptoms of PTSD

Symptoms of PTSD are intense and persistent. They last long after the trauma has ended and include:

• Intrusion symptoms: This includes reliving trauma through unwelcome memories, nightmares, or vivid flashbacks. 
• Avoiding triggering situations: PTSD can cause a person to avoid places, people, or activities that remind them of the trauma. 
• Changes in beliefs and feelings: A person may develop a negative view of the world, find it difficult to experience positive emotions, or do something enjoyable.
• Hyperarousal: Hyperarousal is when someone is constantly “on edge,” feels unsafe, and is easily startled. It can lead to reckless or self-destructive behaviors. 
• Somatic symptoms: Although not part of the formal diagnosis, those with PTSD may develop unexplained physical symptoms such as pain, fatigue, high heart rate, dizziness, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), blurred vision, and more.

Symptoms of C-PTSD

C-PTSD involves the symptoms of PTSD along with the following:

• Emotional dysregulation: This may be experienced as heightened emotional reactions to minor stress, reckless or self-destructive behaviors, or violent outbursts.
• Changes in consciousness: A person may have periods of amnesia (forgetting) or dissociation, making them feel detached from themselves or their surroundings. 
• Negative self-perception: C-PTSD can cause a person to experience a negative self-image, shame, guilt, or self-loathing. They often express feeling inadequate or different from others.
• Difficulty with relationships: Some people may struggle with isolation and distrust. They might also develop an unhealthy relationship or stay in an abusive relationship for too long. 
• Distorted perception of an abuser: This may result in an unhealthy preoccupation with the abuser. It may also include a preoccupation with revenge. 
• Loss of systems of meaning: Losing core values, religion, beliefs, or faith can cause a sense of hopelessness and despair. 

Behavior Associated With C-PTSD

• Substance abuse: Research suggests a strong correlation between substance use disorder and trauma. One of the most common theories is that drugs and alcohol are used to manage numb emotional pain.
• Self-harm: Self-harm may also be called self-injury or self-mutilation and means hurting yourself on purpose due to emotional distress.
• Avoidance: Emotional avoidance means creating distance with unpleasant emotions. Behavioral avoidance is staying away from people, situations, and senses that are reminders of the traumatic event. While this is natural in the short term, extreme avoidance can make it difficult to cope with other areas of life.
• Inability to accept criticism: For those with C-PTSD, criticism can cause severe stress because they are already self-critical or feel shame. They may have also had an abuser who manipulated them with criticism to get an emotional reaction. 

Diagnosing Complex Trauma

C-PTSD is not yet a diagnosis in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) or recognized by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). However, the World Health Organization (WHO) describes C-PTSD in the ICD-11.

While there is not a formal test to distinguish between the two, C-PTSD includes three additional clusters of symptoms as mentioned above, including:

• Emotional dysregulation
• Negative self-concept
• Interpersonal difficulties

Causes of C-PTSD

Those with C-PTSD suffer long-term and repetitive trauma and are often hurt by a caregiver. Most survivors were unable to leave the situation and felt trapped or controlled. 

C-PTSD risk factors involve chronic exposure to trauma, especially during childhood and adolescence when brain development is most vulnerable. 

Some examples of trauma include:

• Emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
• Sex trafficking and exploitation
• Neglect
• Abandonment
• Being a child soldier
• Slavery
• Torture
• Genocide
• Prisoner of war (POW)
  

Complex Trauma Treatment

C-PTSD is treated similarly to PTSD. However, treatment is usually longer. It may include one or a combination of the following:

• Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, should be conducted by a trained therapist. It’s best to find one with experience in treating trauma. Evidence-based psychotherapies for PTSD such as cognitive processing therapy (CPT) and prolonged exposure (PE) have been shown to benefit individuals with C-PTSD. Skills-based psychotherapies such as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) may also be of benefit. The goal is to facilitate the processing of the trauma and to identify and modify the trauma's harmful emotional impact on your life.
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR combines psychotherapy with the use of eye movements. Treatment begins with the therapist building trust and teaching eye movement techniques. EMDR helps the trauma survivor process the traumatic memories until they are no longer distressing. 
• Medication: Healthcare providers often prescribe medications to treat PTSD and C-PTSD. These may include antidepressants such as Zoloft (sertraline), Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), and Effexor (venlafaxine), as well as other agents.

Coping With C-PTSD

Recovery from C-PTSD is a long process. It’s important to be easy on yourself or your loved one with C-PTSD. The following are coping mechanisms that are helpful when used along with treatment:

• Find support: C-PTSD may cause you to shy away from being social. However, it is important to have a strong support system so you can reach out to those you trust. This might include friends, family, support groups, church, or other groups.
• Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness means being self-aware and intentionally shifting attention to the present. Mindfulness techniques don’t have to be elaborate. One can incorporate them into walking, eating, breathing, meditation, music, and hobbies. 
• Journaling: The brain can have a hard time processing difficult events. Journaling provides a place to write down private feelings and reflections. Putting thoughts on paper helps you express and begin to get a distance from painful emotions.
  

Summary

Complex PTSD, also referred to as C-PTSD, can result from chronic trauma that usually happens during childhood and adolescence. While it is similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it comes with an additional cluster of symptoms. C-PTSD treatment includes psychotherapy (talk therapy), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), medications, and the development of new coping mechanisms. 

A Word From Verywell 

Difficult emotions and thoughts stemming from complex trauma can lead to isolation and loneliness. Daily life and relationships can become strenuous because you use all of your energy for coping. It’s good to seek immediate treatment with a qualified therapist to help you work through your feelings, form better relationships, and enjoy a fulfilling life.