Cptsd? Just Read About It...

[Mawyanne]

I just read about something I never heard of... cPTSD! It has a name (though apparently not accepted here in the US.)
Now it makes sense...why the best psychologist I ever had (and lost due to insurance issues) told me that the bi-polar disorder was a misdiagnosis and what I had was PTSD. She had explained to me that PTSD had "all the symptoms of bi-polar and then some." It included the problems I had with anxiety, abnormal fears (still afraid of the dark & 'someone under the bed') the self-esteem issues, and dissociation, including the DID symptoms...even the physical symptoms that medical doctors could never explain, like the chronic fatigue, headaches, the general 'sick' feeling and achyness.
When I would do research on just PTSD, I couldn't completely relate, but now? WOW!
Who else can relate??

 

[RussH]

CPTSD or Complex Post-traumatic stress disorder, is a name commonly used, but I am not sure that it is an officially recognized diagnosis. The disorder is typically seen in people who have been exposed to horrific conditions over a period of time like the prisoner of war who have been tortured, kidnapped victims, or others that have been subjected to torture over a period of time.

Many of the symptoms you describe can be attributed to PTSD

 

[peacelovemusic]

I hear you!!! I was diagnosed with PTSD but the profile of CPTSD fits much better. I hope it becomes more recognized in the US, because I do believe that although many symptoms overlap, there is a big difference between the two. I don't think one is any better or worse than the other, but I think a distinction is helpful.

 

[Crow]

I was misdiagnosed with bipolar for years too. Then pdoc started trauma training and pulled me off of meds and started Somatic Experiencing therapy. That's when I started getting better. And while insurance doesn't recognize CPTSD, it's real. Takes years for stuff to make it into the dsm. And Lord knows not everything in it is always accurate or fully encompassing.

 

[sun seeker]

Who else can relate??

Me. :-)

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Mawyanne]

CPTSD or Complex Post-traumatic stress disorder, is a name commonly used, but I am not sure that it is an...

Hmm.. True, cPTSD is not an accepted diagnosis here in the States, rather it is a subcategory of PTSD. However, there are many differences in PTSD and complex PTSD...a major difference being the duration of the trauma/s. Torture, as you mentioned, made me think of War Veterans who suffer from PTSD (complex or not.)
Just clarifying here, since I'm not sure what you were alluding to, there is also a difference in the age of the person at the time of the trauma/s. Especially at ages 9 and younger, the brain handles trauma (ongoing and either physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse over long periods) differently than an adult brain.

 

[sun seeker]

Especially at ages 9 and younger, the brain handles trauma (ongoing and either physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse over long periods) differently than an adult brain.

How so, exactly? I'm interested and hadn't seen this specifically about age 9 before.

 

[Mawyanne]

How so, exactly? I'm interested and hadn't seen this specifically about age 9 before.

I gotta look at that again to make sure I don't misquote the "how" part, but I gotta run out right now... Get back to you later!

 

[Crow]

@sun seeker , the brain is still developing so some centers get under developed and some over. Also the chemicals released in long-term trauma does havoc to the developing nervous system. Usually involves attachment disorder as well. This is a non technical surface explanation but Google it. This is one of the things they know through scientific torture on animals.

 

[TinkerG]

...I just read about something I never heard of... cPTSD! It has a name (though apparently not accepted here in the US.) It included the problems I had with anxiety, abnormal fears (still afraid of the dark & 'someone under the bed') the self-esteem issues, and dissociation, including the DID symptoms...even the physical symptoms that medical doctors could never explain, like the chronic fatigue, headaches, the general 'sick' feeling and achyness....

Years and years ago (2000) before PTSD became a buzz word and people argued over specific "diagnosing" criteria and symptoms, I was diagnosed with Complex PTSD by a psychiatrist and his team in the Dallas county medical system. Nobody argued whether it was included in the diagnostic manual or if it was a sub-type or its own diagnosis. That was back when public health actually mattered and you could get help, therapy and medicines for free. (...and insurance companies had not yet ruined the health care system). My diagnosis is not for war or child abuse. I was specifically diagnosed with CPTSD for what used to be called "Stockholm syndrome" which few mention anymore - when someone is tortured or held long enough and begins to identify with their captor, the captor systematically breaks down and changes core beliefs and perceptions.

I personally, do not care how they put it in the DSM as long as its there. I have all the symptoms of PTSD with a side of the complex (sort of a PTSD on steroids)...so to me, they could be lumped together but I imagine there are many out there who would disagree because their particular problem is very different from mine. What I would like to see is a worldwide agreement on diagnoses, a lessening of competitiveness of academia and a little more cooperation in the field...but that is a whole 'nother topic.

 

[Mawyanne]

How so, exactly? I'm interested and hadn't seen this specifically about age 9 before.

Hey SunSeeker! Finally getting back to you! The following is copied/pasted from an article on the myPTSD home page, scroll down & you'll find "cPTSD"

>Complex trauma is not specific to any age group. However, those whom endure complex trauma during early childhood are more prone to long-term and severe consequences – complex PTSD. The brain begins to place patterns and beliefs about the world during the first nine years of life, and is at its most susceptible during this time. The strength of early childhood is also that the brain is robust enough to process traumatic events. Though, this often creates a worse after-effect later in life as the brain matures and comprehends those events. If you put a mature adult through a heavily abusive marriage, a concentration camp or a Prisoner of War (POW) camp, the brain’s trauma-processing ability will produce as similar an outcome of consequences as those seen in early childhood trauma.
However, those who endure trauma for an extended period under the age of twelve years are proven to present more devastating results in adulthood than complex trauma afflicted upon someone whom is already an adult. This is because morality, social skills, and life skills are all taught in childhood. The child’s sense of right and wrong becomes altered, as well as their understanding of social function and their interpretation of the world around them.

 

[Mawyanne]

What I would like to see is a worldwide agreement on diagnoses, a lessening of competitiveness of academia and a little more cooperation in the field...but that is a whole 'nother topic.

TinkerG, I really appreciate all your comments! Gotta say, your last line was like hammer on a nail! I agree wholeheartedly! Thank you!