What are the 17 symptoms of complex PTSD?

The 17 Symptoms of PTSD
  • Vivid Flashbacks. A PTSD flashback is when you relive your traumatic experience, and it feels like it is happening all over again right in that moment. ...
  • Nightmares. ...
  • Self-Isolation. ...
  • Depression. ...
  • Substance Abuse. ...
  • Emotional Avoidance. ...
  • Feeling on Edge, or Hyperarousal. ...
  • Memory Loss.


What happens when complex PTSD is triggered?

Complex PTSD and emotional flashbacks

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.

What to do when CPTSD triggered?

Try grounding techniques.
  1. Get to know your triggers add. You might find that certain experiences, situations or people seem to trigger flashbacks or other symptoms. ...
  2. Confide in someone add. ...
  3. Give yourself time add. ...
  4. Try peer support add. ...
  5. Find specialist support add. ...
  6. Look after your physical health add.


How do you calm a complex PTSD?

Cultivating Resilience: 5 Steps To Help Cope With Triggers
  1. Know what your triggers are. Knowing what situations are likely to trigger you can help increase your sense of control.
  2. Have a specific plan to regulate yourself. ...
  3. Tell your loved ones. ...
  4. Use your tools. ...
  5. Get into therapy with a Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) specialist.


How does complex PTSD affect the body?

Symptoms of complex PTSD

Common symptoms of PTSD and complex PTSD include: avoiding situations that remind a person of the trauma. dizziness or nausea when remembering the trauma. hyperarousal, which means being in a continual state of high alert.


17 Unique Warning Signs You May Have Complex PTSD



What organs does PTSD affect?

The amygdala, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex are all involved in our response to trauma. Research suggests PTSD can create chemical differences in the function of these areas.

What does CPTSD do to the brain?

PTSD causes your brain to get stuck in danger mode. Even after you're no longer in danger, it stays on high alert. Your body continues to send out stress signals, which lead to PTSD symptoms. Studies show that the part of the brain that handles fear and emotion (the amygdala) is more active in people with PTSD.

What is the best medication for complex PTSD?

What are the best medications to treat PTSD?
  • Sertraline (Zoloft) is FDA-approved for treating PTSD, and it's one of the most common medications prescribed for this condition. ...
  • Paroxetine (Paxil) is the only other FDA-approved medication for PTSD. ...
  • Fluoxetine (Prozac) is used off-label for treating PTSD.


What should you not do with a complex PTSD?

10 Things Not To Say To Someone With CPTSD
  1. It wasn't that bad, was it?
  2. That happened in the past, why are you still upset?
  3. Calm down.
  4. You're overreacting. It's been years now. Get over it.
  5. You're too much right now.
  6. What's wrong with you?
  7. I don't believe anything you're saying.
  8. You are crazy. You are dramatic.


What is living with complex PTSD like?

Living with Complex PTSD can create intense emotional flashbacks that provide challenges in controlling emotions that may provoke severe depression, suicidal thoughts, or difficulty in managing anger. C-PTSD can also create dissociations, which can be a way the mind copes with intense trauma.

What are some unusual signs of CPTSD?

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What does a CPTSD episode feel like?

intrusive thoughts or images. nightmares. intense distress at real or symbolic reminders of the trauma. physical sensations such as pain, sweating, nausea or trembling.

Do people with complex PTSD Gaslight?

When you've experienced complex trauma, you may not trust yourself. A person who grows up with a foundation of secure attachment may realize the signs of gaslighting pretty quickly and leave. However, a trauma survivor may be more likely to perceive manipulation as familiar and therefore normal.

How debilitating is PTSD complex?

The symptoms of complex PTSD resemble those of conventional PTSD, but they are more painful and often dominate the lives of those who experience them. Complex PTSD is one of the most debilitating mental health disorders, and yet it remains largely unknown and is only now beginning to receive the attention it deserves.


Do people with complex PTSD have some sort of episode?

Detachment: In addition to the symptoms of cognitive alterations listed for PTSD, people with C-PTSD may experience episodes in which they feel detached from their mind or body (dissociation/depersonalization). Negative self-perception: People with C-PTSD may have feelings of helplessness, shame, guilt, and stigma.

Can complex PTSD cause brain damage?

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.

What happens if you leave complex PTSD untreated?

If left untreated, complex PTSD can become life-threatening. It raises the risk of developing anxiety, depression, addictive behavior, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. Chronic pain, fatigue, and changes in eating and sleeping patterns are all possible physical health problems.


How do therapists treat complex 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.

What is the best mood stabilizer for PTSD?

Antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), might be used to help reduce symptoms of depression or anxiety in people with PTSD.
...
Other medications used for PTSD
  • fluoxetine (Prozac)
  • paroxetine (Paxil)
  • sertraline (Zoloft)


Is complex PTSD a permanent disability?

Also, since people living with complex post-traumatic stress disorder qualify for a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, the Social Security Administration will consider them disabled.


Is Cptsd worse than PTSD?

CPTSD often stems from ongoing childhood neglect, domestic abuse, human trafficking, and living in a war-torn region for more than one year. Both PTSD and CPTSD require professional treatments. Due to its complex nature, CPTSD therapy might be more intense, frequent, and extensive than PTSD treatment.

Where is trauma stored in the body?

Ever since people's responses to overwhelming experiences have been systematically explored, researchers have noted that a trauma is stored in somatic memory and expressed as changes in the biological stress response.

Is cPTSD a personality disorder?

cPTSD results from chronic or long-term exposure to trauma, while BPD is a personality disorder. cPTSD can develop from any prolonged traumatic experience, such as childhood abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or being in a war zone.


Is cPTSD a mental illness?

C-PTSD relates to the trauma model of mental disorders and is associated with chronic sexual, psychological, and physical abuse or neglect, or chronic intimate partner violence, bullying, victims of kidnapping and hostage situations, indentured servants, victims of slavery and human trafficking, sweatshop workers, ...

What are 2 things that can happen to you if you have PTSD?

Many people with PTSD also have a number of other problems, including: other mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety or phobias. self-harming or destructive behaviour, such as drug misuse or alcohol misuse. other physical symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, chest pains and stomach aches.