How Do You Know If You've Got Cptsd?

[livergirl70]

Hi,

Forgive me if I'm being thick and this information is already somewhere on the site, but I'm new and still finding my way round.

I have been diagnosed with PTSD, but when I look at the symptoms of CPTSD it seems to fit what I go through/feel better

 

[dragonflymom]

Thanks for posting this I have been wondering the same thing. Hope you are able to find some answers!

 

[LeoTheLion]

Whoever diagnosis you PTSD is probably a right person to ask whether you might have CPTSD, The reason whoever diagnosis you probably did not label you CPTSD because CPTSD is not yet officially recognized in DSM. Which PTSD is already in DSM. For example with me, my T did diagnosis me PTSD but with understand that I am more in CPTSD but T cannot officially say I do have CPTSD in the filing or for report insurance because its not officially. Maybe you could bring up with whoever diagnosis you as PTSD discuss about CPTSD. Just remember CPTSD is not yet officially an diagnosis yet because it is not yet recognized in DSM. However there is so many research on CPTSD now and it have been proposed to DSM to be added.

 

[livergirl70]

Hi Leo,

Thanks for that, I will ask my CPN next time I see her.

 

[anthony]

I would not put to much concern in the term CPTSD, as it was coined, and it doesn't seem as though it will be fitting into the DSM V as some anticipated. PTSD is the correct diagnosis, there actually isn't any diagnostic criteria for CPTSD, officially speaking. PTSD + Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) / Dissociate disorder, even multiple personality disorders, is what makes up current references to CPTSD.

You obviously have PTSD... I would look at your diagnosis if the psychiatrist added anything extra, ie. personality or dissociative disorder. If not... then its irrelevant... end of the day, you still have PTSD.

 

[Teddy]

I got told that the C stood for 'chronic'. Another words it was really bad and was brought on by multiple traumas. I haven't looked into the C part as the P and the T and the S and the D are causing enough hassle without the C getting involved too.
I think if you have PTSD then pretty much whatever gets added doesn't seem to take any of the Fab Four away so just stick to them and get a handle on them before you go too much further. Why complicate it any more???
Good luck with them.

 

[Seneca]

"PTSD" is defined as being chronic. That's what makes it different from "Acute Stress Disorder." But I can see the confusion, since PTSD is often caused by isolated incidents.

C-PTSD, PTSD with "Borderline" or dissociative features...I don't see what the big difference is, as long as they don't try to medicate each one separately.

 

[Teddy]

What do you mean by borderline or dissociative features?
Sorry I feel a bit dumb?

 

[Dylan]

The 'C' stands for Complex.

There's a comprehensive list of articles here on the forum (including symptoms and pathology) under Articles > Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD). You might also check out the recommended DSM criteria (per Trauma and Recovery by Judith Herman; Herman is the psychiatrist who came up with the concept/term/definition of CPTSD): www(dot)sasian(dot)org/papers/cptsd(dot)htm. Sorry about the (dot)s...I clicked the 'unlink' option but when I previewed it still left the link live so insert a "." wherever you see (dot).

I was very disappointed to read that CPTSD will not be included in the next edition of the DSM. CPTSD is different from PTSD in many of its symptoms, at times the experience, and even, at times, in its treatment.

If anyone has been diagnosed with CPTSD, I would strongly recommend reading Herman's book. She doesn't have it (C/PTSD) herself but you'd never know it; she has a surprisingly deep, intuitive understanding of the experience that, coming from a professional who has the vocabulary and knowledge to frame it comprehensively and coherently, it gives not only credence to the (for some of us) lifelong confusion and isolation, but also hope.

HTH-
-Dylan

 

[anthony]

Right now, there is:

• PTSD - Acute (symptoms 1-3 months duration)
• PTSD - Chronic (symptoms longer than 3 months)
• PTSD - Delayed Onset (symptoms have appeared 6+ months after the trauma)

The above are the only official current terms.

There are academics who use C-PTSD, which stands for Complex PTSD, which is derived by Judith Herman, as above... however; it never obtained the recognition most where hoping. It is only used for long term abuse, NOT multiple trauma's, ie. years of childhood abuse, POW's...

The DSM V has not picked it up though as was thought, they have instead changed the PTSD criterion to accommodate child based trauma further, and are sticking with PTSD + Axis I / Axis II (comorbid) combination diagnostic applications vs. C-PTSD, which would encompass these in one for this category for ease.

DSM V has also gotten rid of time based trauma, being acute and chronic, and currently only leaving delayed onset. They have also seriously narrowed the initial criterion down to focus only on severe trauma: Public Library of Science

They have proposed the introduction of a childrens PTSD diagnosis for under 6: Public Library of Science

 

[Teddy]

For the new people... where do I find what things like DSM or DSM V mean. There are a lot of abbreviations on the site when people speak and I am having trouble following.
My official diagnosis was Chronic PTSD Complex. So I guess it was me that thought it was what the PTSD stood for.
I am 16 years down the track from when my life changed and I know that 16 years ago they treated it one way and now they are saying that that way was not right and are doing different stuff.
Honestly I feel like a 'test rat'.
some say PTSD is curable and others say it isn't.
I can seem to get my head around the journals that people write and I guess seeing it in black and white all at once just triggers major anxiety attacks so if some one could Dumb it down a bit and let me know some answers that would really be very helpful.
Thanks

 

[anthony]

Just ask questions as you go alone Teddy... and you learn. There is no one stop shop outlining every single thing, you just need to search, ask and learn.