Complex Ptsd

[surviving_it_all]

I listened to my therapist today. I also listened to myself. I saw for the first time how this disorder affects my thought process. He thinks I have Complex PTSD.

Its been hard for me today to process. Its hard to read about the symptoms and see how complex PTSD affects people. I went through and so many of the symptoms are characteristic traits of mine. When I thought it was just ptsd, it was easier since it fit but not so much.

How can I not believe CPTSD as the answer? It hurts. It was hard to find out that many of the characteristics I thought were me may just be the disorder. My family is not in my life. Even, if they were, they wouldn't accept what my therapist had to say to me today.

I found out today too that you really cant discuss serious things like this with random friends. Its hard for me to accept. I don't want to because who will I be if this is gone? I listened to him today. That is what therapy is about but I don't like this diagnosis. I hope I am ready to overcome it all. I really do not want to live a life of anxiety.

 

[safenow]

Many of us have Complex Trauma, and the doctor's call it CPTSD. Even though there is no cure, you can get relief from many of your symptoms. With the right training, you can go years without have any symptoms. You just need to apply what you learn. And then keep your boundaries intact.

Know that you are not alone in this journey. We are all here for you. I recommend you read the article The PTSD Cup in the wiki section of the forum. It can help a lot.

Take good care of you.

 

[Hopp]

I also have this diagnos. It is very difficult for me too to accept, but I Think it will be possible. Maybe it is also possible to learn how to handle Life. One step at a time...

 

[Jlso111187]

I fought the diagnosis for 13 years it took me finally letting go of my pride to come to terms with it. I know that I will never be free from this but I also know I WILL NOT LET IT BEAT ME.

Learning to live with it is hard and has been a rollercoaster but I agree with Safenow, learning your bounderies and keeping them intact helps.

 

[Hopp]

How do you keep your bounderies?

 

[intothelight]

Hi Hopp,

I saw for the first time how this disorder affects my thought process.

Regardless of the label your therapist applied, another name for this is cognitive distortion and it is quite common with PTSD and other disorders, such as depression. I think the important thing is identifying the distorted thinking patterns and then working on changing them. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is quite effective in helping a person achieve this result.

Regardless of the label, there are effective therapies to help a person manage their symptoms and live a happy and productive life. For those that have suffered multiple traumas (complex trauma), it may take longer, but by no means is the situation hopeless. Again, a good therapist will provide the tools for a person to recover.

Boundaries are based upon a decision of what behaviors a person finds acceptable or unacceptable in their relationships with others. For example, I find arguing with a raised voice very disturbing and it can result in a flair up of my PTSD symptoms. So one of my boundaries is that I will not engage in a discussion where voices are raised. I choose to walk away and then when the emotions have settled down, am willing to discuss whatever the issue was at that point.

Talk to your therapist and map out a plan for dealing with the issues and acquiring the tools necessary to improve your life.

Wishing you the best.

Debbie

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Many of us have Complex Trauma, and the doctor's call it CPTSD.

Complex PTSD was never and is not now a actual diagnoses. However complex trauma is real but it is not the same as CPTSD.

[DLMURL]https://www.ptsdforum.org/c/threads/wow-the-apa-really-got-the-new-ptsd-diagnosis-right.27151/[/DLMURL]

I find intothelights advice very sound and a wonderful starting tool. She is very wise. :)

Take care.

Ayesha

 

[Phenioxrising]

Don't be ashamed of the "label" no one has to know about it if you don't want them to know. It is like you have been through a war.

It's good to have a friend along that knows the whole you. and one that is trustworthy. One that you can tell anything that comes to mind, without fear of regection. Furry friends are helpful in geting out in the world too.

 

[Don't trip]

I think it's a shame that there is a 'don't tell' aspect to PTSD. I can't imagine working to function in reality and in truth without sharing that I have triggers and what sets me off. I don't think it needs to be for public consumption (although I will write about this more on my blog) but I'd rather live and walk in truth with the 'label' attached to me. I got to thinking..what if I go to work and have a freak out? Do I lie and say, "well, it's just been a bad day". No, I'll say it up front. It might help weed through assholes.

Surviving, I was diagnosed with C-PTSD as well. I've read books on it and I've been reading others about PTSD. The differences I notice is that the C-PTSD looks a lot like borderline. I think the labels can be fuzzy and I'm not sure "complex" is necessary because PTSD itself IS complex to deal with. From what I understand the differences between C-PTSD and PTSD is that the Complex symbolized MULTIPLE trauma. I have experienced a lifetime of chronic abuse. This is why i have the label.

It's not my 'official' diagnosis however, because the term does not exist within the pages of the DSM.

I understand how you feel about not wanting to accept it. I'd like to share what happens when you don't: Self sabotage. I've done a lot of it to run away from the disorder. I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so this is viewed as a 'weakness', when I prefer to focus on my strengths. I'm afraid that's not doable! lol!

Anyway, if you have a good therapist, it will take a LONG time to process it. Maybe a lifetime, but with each change you make, you'll heal and grow more. It takes courage to face what you are. Many people won't. Change is very difficult and requires a lot of patience, but if you're committed to your therapy and implementing change, you'll be surprised how well you will do. :)

 

[Jlso111187]

Don't Trip,

I have recently started to share with others that I have ptsd, and my triggers because I too would rather have others know than to me flip out and them just think I'm a bitch. As I said earlier it took me 13 years to swollow my pride and get help and its been the best thing so far.

By telling others it helps them understand you better. For the most part I have ran in to people who are pretty excepting of it once in a while you run into those who say "get over it" but for the most part with more and more people getting diagnosed with it, the acceptence is better than it used to be.

 

[hollyberrytea]

I was diagnosed with CPTSD as well..

Don't feel bad about it though.. It's just kind of like a label. It also helps you find people who have similar issues. If we didn't label disorders in our heads we wouldn't be able to find support groups like this with people who understand and know what you're going through..

Personally, I sought out therapy and such for a proper diagnostic because I knew I was not completely "normal" in my head. I wanted to figure out what is was, and reach out to people and maybe try medication.

It's not a bad thing.. It was there, now it just has a name.

 

[Lucycat]

I was diagnosed with CPTSD. I found it such a relief - I really thought I was mad!