The main form of treatment for complex PTSD is long-term psychological therapy. This helps people slowly regain their trust in others. They can then gradually start to make friends, improve their work life and opportunities, and develop leisure interests.
Use techniques like meditation, guided relaxation, deep breathing, drawing or coloring, and repeating a powerful phrase. These healthy behaviors can the patient calm down and regain his or her composure in the moment. However, if you or someone you love is struggling with PTSD, contact a mental health professional.
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is the main treatment for complex PTSD. Specifically, this type of psychotherapy is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) called trauma-focused CBT. This therapy takes place with a trained, licensed mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist.
But is complex PTSD curable? Despite its own inherent barriers to healing, complex post-traumatic stress disorder is treatable.
There are four medications currently recommended as first-choice options to treat PTSD. Zoloft (sertraline) and Paxil (paroxetine) are FDA approved to treat PTSD. But Prozac (fluoxetine) and Effexor XR (venlafaxine) are also good first-choice options, even though they're not officially approved for PTSD.
Therapy options for Complex PTSD include EMDR, Trauma-Focused CBT, and expressive arts therapy. The timeline for recovery will look different for each person—it is often a winding road, but the human brain has incredible potential for healing, and recovery is possible.
Adults with histories of trauma in childhood have been shown to have more chronic physical conditions and problems. They may engage in risky behaviors that compound these conditions (e.g., smoking, substance use, and diet and exercise habits that lead to obesity).
People affected by trauma tend to feel unsafe in their bodies and in their relationships with others. This stage might last weeks, months or even years, depending on the level of trauma. Everyone's journey and timeline is different.
If you have complex PTSD you may be particularly likely to experience what some people call an 'emotional flashback', in which you have intense feelings that you originally felt during the trauma, such as fear, shame, sadness or despair.
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) is a stress-related mental disorder generally occurring in response to complex traumas, i.e. commonly prolonged or repetitive exposures to a series of traumatic events, within which individuals perceive few or no chance to escape.
Recovering from complex PTSD takes time. For some people, the condition may pose lifelong challenges. However, research shows that prolonged trauma-focused treatment can help significantly decrease symptoms. One goal of treatment is to attempt to develop or recapture feelings of trust in others and the world.
Poor modulation of impulses Self-destructive behavior Aggression toward others Pathological self-soothing behaviors Sleep disturbances Eating disorders Substance abuse Excessive compliance Oppositional behavior Difficulty understanding and complying with rules Reenactment of trauma in behavior or play (sexual, ...
Making the trauma survivor feel guilty about the situation is not a good way to support them. This statement can make them feel guilty about having the feelings and thoughts that they do. Don't force them to put a timeline on their grief or to push through the processing stages until they're ready.
As a result, people with Complex Trauma may experience problems with thinking and concentration, difficulties feeling 'present' as they go about life, lack of attention, dissociation; and problems with memory. Ongoing trauma, or unresolved symptoms related to trauma, can affect your mental and physical health.
Symptoms of complex PTSD
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.
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 researchers diagnosed around 0.5 percent of the women and men questioned as having complex PTSD, and 1.5 percent were found to have classic PTSD.
For single incident traumas usually 8-12 sessions of 90 minutes each are required. For more complex trauma the treatment is clearly more complex and takes longer, usually about 12 -18 months. This is considerably quicker than long-term talking therapy that takes 3-10 years.
While, at the same time, the patient experiences bilateral stimulation provided by the therapist, such as following the therapist's finger back and forth with their eyes, for example. But is it possible to use EMDR for treating complex PTSD symptoms as well? The short answer is yes, EMDR can help.
Exposure therapy has been thoroughly studied and referred to as the gold standard for PTSD patients, helping them process emotions and overcome their fears.
The most recent evidence is compelling that its use of trauma-focused therapies such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), Eye Movement, Desensitization, and Restructuring (EMDR), and others with significant trauma focus are the current gold standard for treatment.
Giving Opioids Safely
Parenteral opioids are the gold standard for pain management in moderate to severe trauma. Morphine is the most common first line choice as it is readily available. Patients may have received opioids during pre-hospital care and further doses may be titrated.
PTSD is one of APM's supported conditions for disability employment services. Through the Disability Employment Services program, APM assists people with illnesses, injuries, and disabilities in finding and keeping employment. Participation in this program is free since the Australian Government funds it.