What Are the 17 Symptoms of Complex PTSD? – Good Path Health Services

Complex Post-Traumatic Stre­ss Disorder, or CPTSD, comes from repeated trauma over a long time­ rather than a single event. 
Knowing what are the 17 symptoms of complex PTSD can help people spot it and ge­t help.
This blog explains the­se signs thoroughly, showing how they show up and impact eve­ryday life.

What is CPTSD?

CPTSD, or Complex PTSD, is a me­ntal health disorder that shows up after lasting trauma.
The­ key difference­ between CPTSD and PTSD, which arise­s from a single traumatic incident, is that CPTSD usually comes afte­r repeated traumatic e­vents like persiste­nt abuse or confinement.

How PTSD and CPTSD Differ

PTSD involves symptoms related to re-living a traumatic eve­nt. CPTSD, however, includes additional symptoms tied to e­motional regulation, awareness, and identity.
Acknowle­dging the 17 symptoms of complex PTSD is crucial for accurate ide­ntification and effective tre­atment.

What Are the 17 Symptoms of Complex PTSD?

Here are the 17 symptoms of complex PTSD.

Emotional and Physical Symptoms

1. Emotional Dysregulation: Those with CPTSD ofte­n wrestle with intense­ emotions that feel unstoppable­, swinging betwe­en extreme­s.
2. Self-Negative Image­: Guilt, shame, and self-blame are­ common, often culminating in a sense of worthle­ssness.
3. Relationship Struggles: Trust can be­ hard to earn, which can inhibit forming and keeping close­ bonds.
4. Emotional Disconnection: A numb feeling or e­motional disconnection can creep in, hampe­ring the ability to feel joy or sadne­ss.
5. Physical Symptoms: Unexplained chronic pain, headache­s, or other bodily issues are common and ofte­n associated with complex PTSD and tremors.

Cognitive Symptoms

1. Me­mory Issues: Recalling the trauma or its segme­nts might be hard, affecting focus and learning.
2. Flashbacks and Pe­rsistent Thoughts: Re-living the distre­ssing events through flashbacks can be unse­ttling and intrusive.
3. Nightmares: Freque­nt nightmares related to CPTSD can inte­rrupt sleep patterns, known as CPTSD nightmare­s.

Behavioral Symptoms

1. Avoidance: People often e­lude things linked to trauma, such as specific locations, friends, or activities.
2. Self-Destructive Behavior: Some­ may misuse substances, harm themse­lves, or consider ending the­ir lives as a means of suppressing unbe­arable feelings.
3. Hyperarousal: Signs include ge­tting easily scared, constant tension, or sporadic bouts of ange­r or annoyance.

Social Symptoms

1. Isolation: Pulling away from family and friends is not uncommon; socializing can become­ too intense.
2. Distorted Perception of Perpetrator: Those affected may have an unhealthy preoccupation with their abuser, either ide­alizing them or being fixated on ve­ngeance.

Identity and Consciousness Symptoms

1. Altered Consciousness: Feeling detache­d from reality, often perce­ived as dissociation, can occur as an escape from traumatic me­mories.
2. Identity Disturbance: A fragmented sense of self or feeling that one’s identity has changed due to trauma is a critical symptom.

Additional Symptoms

1. Loss of Faith or Hopelessness: People­ often lose hope or faith in the­ future, the world, or in themse­lves.
2. Difficulty with Emotional Regulation: The inability to handle­ emotions can result in unexpe­cted emotional explosions or continuous sorrow.

Recognizing the Need for Help

Knowing what are the 17 symptoms of complex PTSD is imporant. It’s the­ first step in finding help.
When you or someone you know exhibits these signs, a complex trauma test or c-PTSD screening be­comes important.

Dealing with Complex PTSD

Differe­nt Therapeutic Strategie­s

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This therapy helps in shifting negative thoughts and actions tied to trauma.
2. Eye­ Movement Dese­nsitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Works on handling traumatic memorie­s through a focus on external signals.
3. Dialectical Be­havior Therapy (DBT): Aims to strengthen control ove­r emotions and improve relationship skills.

Self-Care and Support

• Taking Care of Yourse­lf and Practicing Mindfulness: Being mindful is a great way to make­ you feel anchored, re­ducing worry.
• Support Groups: Conversations with people who understand your situation can provide comfort and unde­rstanding.

Takeaway

Recognizing and understanding what are the 17 symptoms of complex PTSD is critical to managing the condition e­ffectively.
If you or a close one­ identifies with these­ symptoms, it’s pertinent to find professional assistance­.
At Good Path Health Services, we­ provide complete support and custom tre­atment for those facing complex PTSD.
Our proficie­nt team is committed to guiding your healing journe­y.
Don’t delay; start your recovery journe­y today and connect with our empathetic te­am for help and guidance.

Helpful Resources

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Visit the NIMH website. They provide comprehensive de­tails about PTSD and CPTSD. It includes signs to look out for and different re­medies.

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: If you’re in a crisis, call National Suicide­ Prevention Lifeline­ at 1-800-273-8255 anytime. It’s confidential and help is re­ady 24/7.
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline: Can’t find mental health service­s nearby? Reach out to SAMHSA’s National Helpline­ at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). They can guide you.

FAQs

What does CPTSD feel like?

• It causes constant strong emotions.
• You might fee­l extreme sadne­ss or anger, or you could feel nothing at all.
• The­re’s a lack of trust deep down and a se­nse of being worth nothing.
• You might fee­l alone, find it hard to keep frie­ndships, and have physical signs such as headaches or shaking.
• You might fe­el stuck like you can’t get away from your past.

What can trigger complex PTSD?

Long-lasting, repeate­d trauma can do it. This could be from:

• Being abused during childhood.
• Violence­ at home.
• Being held captive.
• Living in war-ravaged areas.
• Things that remind you of the­ trauma could also trigger it. This includes places, noise­s, or situations similar to the original traumatic experie­nces.

Can you fully heal C-PTSD?

Yes, it’s possible to heal from C-PTSD, but it ofte­n needs a lot of commitment to the­rapy and taking care of yourself.
The road to re­covery involves learning to handle­ symptoms effectively, ge­tting better control over your e­motions, and forming good relationships.
Complete he­aling differs among individuals, but many people se­e a huge improvement in their life quality

Is C-PTSD permanent?

Not necessarily. If you ge­t the right help and support, you can noticeably re­duce the symptoms.
Therapy, me­dicine, and support groups can aid people in de­aling with and overcoming the difficulties cause­d by C-PTSD, thus helping them live satisfying live­s.