Complex Ptsd

[RussH]

there is no official diagnosis for cPTSD, so if you have been diagnosed with PTSD by a professional, then it would most likely be PTSD from complex trauma. The treatment is essentially the same..

 

[sun seeker]

There's no such thing as Complex PTSD, there's only PTSD.

When you say there is no such thing as complex PTSD, what you mean is there is as yet no consensus on the definition because it has not yet been included in the DSM... correct?

Because there are at least two conditions people commonly refer to as CPTSD. One is pretty much synonymous with developmental trauma, though the trauma may go on for longer. The other is the result of multiple traumas or a traumatic situation that goes on for a long time, and this can begin at any time in life. I agree that it gets confusing. Both these conditions are real... they just haven't been recognized by names that psychiatrists agree upon, yet. When people talk about CPTSD I usually assume they mean the former, but that may not always be true.

 

[Friday]

Because there are at least two conditions people commonly refer to as CPTSD.

Been trying to wrap my head around complex trauma for months...so what you say by "at least 2", you are correct.... Because so far? There are at least 2 dozen. No one agrees on what it means. Even followers in certain camps (Herman's for example) don't all agree on the same points, much less all the competing camps, and then you have a gazillion therapists all "diagnosing" someone (with a non-existent diagnosis)... And it's just meaningless chaos. It reminds me very much of being being in England and told James did something. Which James? James who? Oh... That James. Okay then.

Complex trauma? That has a meaning.

Complex PTSD? If you want to know what the person is referring to? You have to ask them. Because nearly everyone means something different.

 

[Flower Power]

The diagnosis of "Complex PTSD" is not an official diagnosis in the books, so legally PTSD is PTSD. Where I have come to the understanding of "Complex" to be is that is more in relation to how your PTSD is constructed. For instance, complex PTSD may not have visual re-experiencing of trauma in the PTSD episode, but you may have intense emotional reactivity and re-experiencing that can be truly overwhelming. Long term abuse or short term, or war, can all create PTSD. I go with Pete Walker's description and understanding and his book and web site on the subject is worth a read irregardless if you agree with the "Complex" in front of it. Bottom line is the reality of living with PTSD is tough and is no joke no matter what we call it. Is it a complex experience in its creation, ramifications, effects on my life, relationships, work experiences -- tremendous. Unweaving the whole darn thing and coming up with management skills that actually work in real time is the most complex thing. You spoke of being shamed in a group that is a real big deal for me. I am easily triggered in groups of any kind or size. The circling of any wagons puts me on high alert and I am ready to trigger at the blink of an eyelash. This comes directly from public, social traumatization and I am slowly finding my way with some small group bible studies but even there I got super triggered and almost brought that whole thing to a close because of being pointed out, and having another agree that, "All I need is Jesus and not therapy!" And coming at me in a group and having others agree...Trigger city. Took me 2 months to write an email and then they still wanted to make me the bad guy.. I had to own my reality, caring for my self, and honoring my own sensitivity. I will draw boundaries and sometimes for me to be safe it means I don't get to play with others.

 

[katz]

Sigh. I hate it when people tell me they know how I feel... but I can't think of a better way to exp...

Thank you sooo much for that one sentence! I am so relieved to know that other people in our condition feel this way. I have always hated it when someone else told me how to feel. It has always been a problem, and I just thought it was me. Thank you so much. (())

 

[Crow]

@sun seeker thank you for your post. I e been in some support groups for ptsd and there is a marked difference between ptsd and cptsd.

True it was rejected by the dsmv but it has taken decades for some diagnosis to be accepted.

Here's a pretty good overview of cptsd

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complex_post-traumatic_stress_disorder

 

[Lucycat]

I have been diagnosed with Complex PTSD in the UK. We are allowed to do that here. It makes sense to me. I googled the condition and I 'fit'. So that is good enough for me ( and my psychiatrist obviously). It does not matter here as we do not need these codes to enable health care etc