Cptsd As An Attachment Disorder

[Deleted member 1860]

Hi all,

Some are now classifying CPTSD as an attachment disorder, most notably Pete Walker. I am wondering what your opinions on this are. I am now seeing an attachment disorders specialist and she says I have Adult Attachment Disorder (AAD).

For those of you with CPTSD, do you see yourself as having attachment issues? If so, what have you done to move past this symptom?

Hugs,
SOL

 

[becvan]

No I don't and I know my therapist didn't either. I have more major issues with dissassoication. I would fall under the DDNOS category. I do form attachments and they are strong, but they are carefuly built up. I think that those of us with CPTSD can fall under a few categories, but each of us will lean towards one or the other moreso ( for expample, BPD, DDNOS, Attachment disorders.) I know that there are others on here who have discussed the attachment part of it,. so hopefully some of those will chime in.

bec

 

[blynn895]

I recommend reading in the Realm of Hungry Ghosts by Dr Gabor Mate [DLMURL]http://t.co/CjXuyB4[/DLMURL] - he clearly links attachment problems (before the age of 6 or 7) to later PTSD and addiction (they go together like beans and rice). The trauma program I'm in heavily focuses on the link between poor early attachment and susceptibility to PTSD after trauma (even one trauma event, never mind CPSTD). I think this is pretty common theory/practice in trauma therapy now.

 

[anthony]

Some are now classifying CPTSD as an attachment disorder, most notably Pete Walker.

People are trying to keep CPTSD going, as it hasn't been picked up via the DSM 5 as was expected. CPTSD is PTSD + Dissociative Disorder and/or Axis II personality disorder. That is always what CPTSD has been officially, as there is no such diagnosis as CPTSD.

 

[becvan]

hehe it's going to take a while to get used to saying complex trauma vs. CPTSD! or would I say PTSD/DDNOS? ROFL

 

[anthony]

Me personally, I think the APA need a good slap round the head, because lets face it, CPTSD is about the only additional term even I agree with is relevant due to the nature that the symptoms severely cross out of just PTSD and into dissociative and personality disorders... and the problem with PTSD + comorbid IMHO, is that there are far to many cross-over symptoms between them all which are only going to confuse things / give people additional diagnosis they just don't need. CPTSD would have been one term to neatly wrap several disorders for a few major types of trauma, which reflect a decent overall percentage of the PTSD percentage.

Agreed... how silly, I have PTSD + DDNOS +/- BPD or OCPD or PPD... ahhhhhhhh!

 

[becvan]

Yep it's nuts. Nothing like making it really confusing for everyone invloved. I don't know what to call myself! LOL

 

[anthony]

I don't know what to call myself! LOL

Easy... Bec!

 

[becvan]

ROFL.. right my name! Boy my memory is getting bad! ;)

 

[Deleted member 5760]

Well my trauma has been categorised as complex - but I have NOT been given a personality disorder. PTSD associated with attachment - yes.

Also generalised anxiety disorder. But at no point have I been given a personality disorder. Some may say you can't withstand 'childhood abuse' of any kind without 'catching it'.... BS... I did. And I've been quite rightly grouped in PTSD and not C-PTSD, even though my trauma is complex. ('straw that broke the camel's back' so to speak was definitely more PTSD).

But hey, that's just what VERY WELL TRAINED DOCTORS tell me.

I *think* (as explained to me) the reason why 'attachment' is attached (hehe) in my case is because I was very close to the person in the life/death situation who jeopardized me.

Example - let's say you're in a hurricane or an accident or whatever and the 'death' of the other is that of a stranger - yes, it's traumatising, but you're not ATTACHED to the person involved. And that is why I think people recover from things like natural disasters and blah blah much more easily. Because at the end of the day 'it was god's will'

Add 'it was a person who did it' = more PTSD..... Add 'it was a person I knew and loved who did it' = more and more PTSD.

I think that's where the 'attachment disorder' part comes from.... it's pretty simple really --- you have an attachment disorder because basically -- well, need I explain more? Why the sudden 'they're with me or against me' (attachment based) --- because you were attached to the person who caused your trauma. It was someone you loved and trusted. NOT a stranger. Strangers don't scare me in the sense of 'ahhhhh'.... PU-LEASE. Telling me that someone could break into my window and kill me in my sleep will NOT make me leave the house. It's people I know I fear most. It's ATTACHMENT.

So really, in some cases telling someone that a plane could land on their roof (it happens, ya know? HUH? Are you whacked?) is NOT going to cure the agoraphobia of someone who stays inside for differing reasons...

Just my lil two cents.

As a lil adage - I know people who CAN'T be alone. They're scared some ~stranger~ might do something. Very different to wanting to be alone because someone CLOSE to you might.

 

[Innordinate]

I never heard of CPTSD until this forum.
For me PTSD is the primary diagnosis and then I have secondary diagnosis of alcoholic. I also have ADHD which doesn't seem to be classified under PTSD and I guess is therefore stands on it's own.
My current therapists aren't big on labels.
Attachment disorders, BPD and axiety for me go hand and hand with PTSD. Otherwise I'd probably have almost everything the DSV -IV (is it on V now?) lists.
I've probably heard a billion times that I "push people away" or "don't let people get close"
I think I have close relationships with people. 2 in particular, my wife and a really good friend but apparently what I think of as 'close' isn't. Or the minute they start to get too close the 'wall' goes up.
*shrugs* for me. This is all normal. It's all PTSD. Even substance abuse just seems to go with it.
something about a song, don't know what it's called but the one line sums it up good for me "you can't have one without the other"

 

[Deleted member 5760]

I think BPD is different to something grouped under PTSD. But that's just my humble opinion and I'm not a doctor.