Trauma when already have C-PTSD

[Rubberducky]

Hi all

This my first post here but I have been reading for years.

I have C-PTSD from multiple stuff from a young age to early adult. I always expect bad things to happen because so many times the worst has actually happened so people think I'm very paranoid.

About 6 months ago I witnessed my husband in an accident related to my son's sport where he was badly injured and for a short period of time I thought he had been killed. It was a horrible time and i thought i was going to really go downhill but as my husband recovered i seemed to be okay. Afterwards though I began to hate my son doing the sport more and more and would detach myself from them emotionally whenever they go. After a break for Christmas they have gone to do it today. Yesterday my anxiety was through the roof and today I can't function at all. It only just occurred to me that its probably all because of the accident.

My question is - if you already have PTSD, is it understandable that you have a stronger reaction to an event even if the event is not of the same type of stuff that caused you to have PTSD (having said that I did have situations where I thought I was going to die so I have a lot of fear around my own and my family's safety)? Or should I be able to process the accident a lot easier because it's a different kind of trauma?

I hope that makes sense

 

[Kubash16]

It doesn’t have to be the same kind of trauma to affect you immensely. I can completely understand why your anxiety would skyrocket. Are you currently in therapy? It is definitely affecting you and is without a doubt a trauma so perfect time to talk it over with a T.

Oh and welcome! ?

 

[Friday]

Complex Trauma, but straight up PTSD as far as I know...

....My experience is that new trauma of the same kinds as I’ve had before -processed or unprocessed- is a f*ckload easier to deal with than new-new trauma.

Probably an ain’t my first rodeo kind of thing.

New-new trauma tends to completely f*ck me. I undervalue it, because I’ve had worse, whilst at the same time handle it badly. Like, really badly.

 

[Justmehere]

Various studies have confirmed that someone with PTSD or CPTSD often struggles more with new trauma than someone who has no trauma history. Even for someone without PTSD or cPTSD, past exposure to trauma increases the risk of developing PTSD symptoms from new trauma.

 

[Rubberducky]

Thank you so much for your replies.

Kubash no I'm not in therapy at the moment - I have been many times on and off but I always hit a certain point and then run away.

Friday you hit the nail on the head- I think I dismissed it early on because I thought well it's nothing compared to some of the other stuff that's happened so it's all good
And the initial shock and reaction was balanced out by the sheer joy of seeing that he was going to be okay so it has taken a while to notice.

All my other stuff has been about ME if that makes sense, this was new in the sense that it was so random and I now think wow the universe can randomly mess with me too and it scares the crap out of me.

Again, thanks for the replies much thinking needed..

 

[Whirlwind]

I'm not in therapy at the moment - I have been many times on and off but I always hit a certain point and then run away.

Oh yea, I can relate! I start stopped therapy repeatedly until I finally broke down and "gave in". I was avoiding the elephant in the room, consciously and unconsciously.

All my other stuff has been about ME if that makes sense, this was new in the sense that it was so random and I now think wow the universe can randomly mess with me too and it scares the crap out of me.

A trauma specialist was talking to my support group as we were lamenting having "to deal" with our PTSD, go to therapy etc.

She shared the perspective that we were all capable of processing trauma at this time in our lives. She had worked with folks who realized significant trauma very late in their life when they were struggling physically and mentally. The story she shared was painful and sad.

But her point was PTSD does not just "go away" without effort and help like a therapist. It hit me at that time that I don't want to be in a nursing home struggling with flashbacks or coping with my unresolved trauma during a "normal" tragic life event like a death of a significant other.

Not trying to be morbid but her comment really struck me at the time and cast a different perspective on the issue of me avoiding therapy. So I decided around that time to bite the bullet and tackle my CPTSD. I have since survived some things that in all honesty...if I had not done the work then I think there is a good chance I would not be here today.

Welcome and all the best,

Whirlwind