Here is a small comparison of PTSD and CPTSD. They can be similar and symptoms may be present for anyone that has experienced a traumatic event(s). If you are suffering from any symptoms I urge you to seek help. I have started to compile a list of resources here.
PTSD
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event or series of traumatic events. The individual often experience the event or events as emotionally or physically harmful or life-threatening.
That’s the definition…. What does that mean to me?
Sounds about right but so simple and really doesn’t mean much.
How about a little more…
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Negative Attitude
- Panic Attacks
- Guilt
- Flash Backs
- Day & Night Terrors
- Lack of Concentration
- Anxiety
- Explosive Anger
- Headaches
- Night Sweats
- Suicidal Thoughts
- Startles Easily
- Very Impatient
- Avoidance of People and Places
- Self Isolation
- Emotional Numbness
CPTSD
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD, cPTSD, or hyphenated C-PTSD) is a stress-related mental disorder generally occurring in response to complex traumas (i.e., commonly prolonged or repetitive exposure to a traumatic event (or traumatic events), from which one sees little or no chance to escape).
CPTSD is a category of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with three additional clusters of significant symptoms: emotional dysregulation, negative self-beliefs (e.g., shame, guilt, failure for wrong reasons), and interpersonal difficulties. C-PTSD’s symptoms include prolonged feelings of terror, worthlessness, helplessness, distortions in identity or sense of self, and hypervigilance.
- Sleep Disturbances
- Isolation/Withdrawal
- Short-Term Memory Issues
- Trust Issues
- Weight Loss/Gain
- Dissociation
- Rage/Anger
- Depression/Emptiness
- Stomach/GI Issues
- Avoidance/Isolation
- Emotional Breakdowns/Disregulation
- Hypervigilance
- Cognitive Distortions
- Night Terrors
- Health Problems
- Phobias
- Lapses in memory
- Self-harm or cutting
- Suicidal Ideations
- Distorted sense of self
- Risky Behavior
- Autoimmune ailments
- Poor interpersonal relationships
- Drug and Alcohol Abuse
- Mental Health Issues
A little more than just re-experiencing the event(s) it starts to “rewire” the brain soon after experiencing trauma. It can start in as little as 30 days after the event(s) with 30% of people going on to develop PTSD. Making it so important that early intervention occur.
Like I said before… CPTSD is PTSD on steroids. All the symptoms of PTSD “rewire” your brain and becomes part of your everything. It feels like you are not yourself and you are not sure who you were. Every minute of every day is coping with whatever trigger or symptom pops up and it can be exhausting and never ends. Add on the pain and medical problems it causes…. It sucks!!!