Complex trauma describes both children's exposure to multiple traumatic events—often of an invasive, interpersonal nature—and the wide-ranging, long-term effects of this exposure. These events are severe and pervasive, such as abuse or profound neglect.
The types of traumatic events that can cause complex PTSD include: childhood abuse, neglect or abandonment. ongoing domestic violence or abuse. repeatedly witnessing violence or abuse.
Simple trauma includes the experience of being in car accidents, house fires, bushfires, earthquakes, and cyclones. Complex trauma involves interpersonal threat, violence, and violation. In contrast to 'simple trauma,' it generally includes multiple incidents and is, therefore, longer in duration.
feelings of worthlessness, shame and guilt. problems controlling your emotions. finding it hard to feel connected with other people. relationship problems, like having trouble keeping friends and partners.
The main difference is that PTSD is generally related to a single event or series of events within a short period of time, while complex PTSD is related to a series of events that repeatedly occurred over an extended period of time.
Living with CPTSD. CPTSD is a serious mental health condition that can take some time to treat, and for many people, it's a lifelong condition. However, a combination of therapy and medication can help you manage your symptoms and significantly improve your quality of life.
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder is entirely treatable with the right combination of compassion, patience, and trust. Someone can work to disempower the trauma that cripples them and practice positive coping skills in the context of well-rounded support and guidance.
The risk of developing complex PTSD is greater if trauma or abuse is repetitive and prolonged, involves harm or abandonment by caregivers and if it occurs at a developmentally vulnerable age such as early childhood or adolescence, which are critical periods of brain development.
The diagnostic criteria for C-PTSD include: Experiencing anxiety-producing visual or emotional flashbacks, and vivid memories of trauma in response to triggering events. Going to extreme lengths to avoid environments or situations that are believed likely to provoke flashbacks or unpleasant memories.
Complex PTSD is a condition that can occur after prolonged and repeated trauma, particularly due to child abuse or domestic violence. Trauma can cause problems with memory and disrupt the development of a person's identity and their ability to control emotions and form relationships with others.
Individuals with complex PTSD often over-regulate emotions, using emotional numbing, withdrawing, or dissociation to cope with reminders of traumatic experiences. On the other hand, BPD is characterised by under-regulation of intense emotions, resulting in expressions of intense anger or self-harm.
Complex trauma typically has a more significant impact on children and young people's mental health outcomes than non-complex forms of trauma. However, the outcomes following experiences of complex trauma vary significantly. Mental health disorders commonly associated with complex trauma include [4]: anxiety.
'Complex Trauma' describes a particular type of trauma that goes beyond a one-time incident. be repeated or ongoing; be difficult or impossible to escape from; occur within a personal relationship; begin in childhood, so that it affects a child's development; and be covered up, kept secret or denied.
Recovery from C-PTSD is a long slog, with survivors sometimes requiring more than ten years of psychotherapy for resolution. There are some C-PTSD programs offered through residential psychiatric programs that offer specialized treatment for this disorder and accompanying dissociative disorders.
Across the life span, complex trauma is linked to a wide range of problems, including addiction, chronic physical conditions, depression and anxiety, self-harming behaviors, and other psychiatric disorders. Beyond the consequences for the child and family, these problems carry high costs for society.
Complex trauma describes both children's exposure to multiple traumatic events—often of an invasive, interpersonal nature—and the wide-ranging, long-term effects of this exposure. These events are severe and pervasive, such as abuse or profound neglect.
Childhood Trauma and PTSD
In the most extreme cases of childhood trauma, distressing events can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to the National Center for PTSD, up to 15% of girls and 6% of boys develop PTSD following a traumatic event.
Complex PTSD is caused by prolonged or chronic trauma. Those with complex PTSD usually have at least some of the symptoms of PTSD, but they could also have other symptoms. Most people experience at least one traumatic event during their lives, and about a fourth go on to develop PTSD.
Difficulty trusting others. Feeling unsafe. Using drugs, alcohol or behaviors to numb anxiety or distress. Avoiding friends, loved ones or activities you used to enjoy.
According to recent studies, Emotional Trauma and PTSD do cause both brain and physical damage. Neuropathologists have seen overlapping effects of physical and emotional trauma upon the brain.
Complex PTSD triggers
For example, it could be something you picked up with one of your five senses when the trauma was taking place. Some common triggers include: specific physical sensations or pain. intense emotions like fear, sadness, or anger.