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What is Complex PTSD? Understanding the Basics

Writer's picture: Robyn SevignyRobyn Sevigny

Trauma can profoundly shape our lives, often leaving invisible scars that affect how we think, feel, and interact with the world. While many are familiar with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Complex PTSD (CPTSD) is a term gaining recognition for describing the effects of repeated, prolonged, or interpersonal trauma. Let’s explore what CPTSD is, how it differs from PTSD, and why understanding this distinction is crucial for healing.


A person sits pensively on a windowsill, gazing outside at the muted city view, enveloped in the soft, natural light filtering through the window.
A person sits pensively on a windowsill, gazing outside at the muted city view, enveloped in the soft, natural light filtering through the window.

What Is Complex PTSD?


CPTSD describes a set of symptoms that develop in response to ongoing or multiple traumatic events, often occurring during formative years or in situations where escape feels impossible. Examples of such trauma include:


  • Childhood abuse or neglect

  • Intimate partner and domestic violence

  • Human trafficking or captivity

  • Living in a war zone or under oppression


Unlike single-incident trauma, the prolonged nature of these experiences can deeply affect a person’s sense of safety, self-worth, and ability to trust others.


The Core Symptoms of CPTSD


CPTSD builds on the symptoms of PTSD but includes additional features that reflect its complex origins:


1. PTSD Symptoms

  • Re-experiencing: Intrusive memories, nightmares, or flashbacks of traumatic events.

  • Avoidance: Steering clear of people, places, or situations that trigger painful reminders.

  • Hyperarousal: Feeling constantly on edge, irritable, or easily startled.


2. Emotional Dysregulation

CPTSD often involves intense emotions that feel difficult to manage, such as persistent sadness, anger, or emotional numbness.


3. Negative Self-Perception

Survivors of CPTSD may struggle with feelings of shame, guilt, or worthlessness, stemming from internalized beliefs about their trauma.


4. Relational Challenges

Because the trauma often involves interpersonal harm, individuals may experience difficulty trusting others, forming healthy relationships, or feeling safe in connection.


5. Dissociation

CPTSD can lead to dissociation, where a person feels disconnected from their body, thoughts, or reality as a way to cope with overwhelming distress.


How Is CPTSD Different from PTSD?


While PTSD can result from a single traumatic event, CPTSD emerges from repeated or prolonged trauma, particularly during developmental stages when individuals are especially vulnerable. The key distinctions include:


  • Interpersonal Trauma: CPTSD often involves harm caused by others, such as caregivers, partners, or systems meant to protect.

  • Broader Symptoms: CPTSD encompasses additional features like emotional regulation difficulties, distorted self-concept, and relational struggles.

  • Developmental Impact: The trauma underlying CPTSD often disrupts foundational aspects of identity, trust, and emotional development.


Why Recognizing CPTSD Matters


Understanding CPTSD is crucial for survivors and professionals alike. It validates the unique experiences of individuals who feel their struggles don’t align with conventional PTSD narratives. Recognition also ensures that treatment approaches address the deeper wounds of relational trauma, such as fostering self-compassion, rebuilding trust, and creating a sense of safety in the body and relationships.


Steps Toward Healing


Recovery from CPTSD is not only possible but also deeply transformative. Healing often involves a combination of:


  • Therapeutic Support: Modalities like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), somatic therapy, or internal family systems therapy (IFS).

  • Building Emotional Regulation Skills: Learning grounding techniques and mindfulness to manage overwhelming emotions.

  • Reconnecting with Self and Others: Gradually rebuilding trust in oneself and creating healthy connections with others.


Additional Resources for Understanding and Healing from CPTSD


Healing from Complex PTSD is a journey, and many survivors find it helpful to supplement therapy with educational and self-help resources. Here are some trusted books, podcasts, and workbooks to support your understanding and growth:


Books

Podcasts

  • "Trauma Therapist Podcast"

    • Hosted by Guy Macpherson, this podcast interviews leading trauma therapists and researchers to share insights into trauma recovery.

  • "Therapy Chat" with Laura Reagan, LCSW-C

    • Focused on trauma, mindfulness, and self-compassion, this podcast offers valuable tools and reflections for survivors.

  • "The CPTSD Podcast" by Johanna Draconis

    • A podcast specifically designed for individuals with CPTSD, offering practical advice and hope for recovery.


Workbooks

Finding the Right Resource for You


Each individual’s journey is unique, so explore these resources to see what resonates most with you. Pairing self-guided learning with professional support can amplify the healing process.


Final Thoughts


Complex PTSD reminds us that trauma is not only about what happened but also about what was lost—such as safety, identity, and connection. The journey of healing is about reclaiming those parts of ourselves, one step at a time.


If you or someone you love resonates with the experiences described here, know that help is available. Working with a trauma-informed therapist can provide the support and tools you need to navigate your unique healing path.


Contact me today for a consultation to explore how we can work together to help you feel more empowered, connected, and confident in your life.




Affiliate Disclosure


Some of the resources recommended in this post may include affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase a product through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.


Please note that while I do not claim to have read or listened to all these resources in their entirety, I recommend them based on their reputation, professional value, and their frequent inclusion in recommendations shared within the therapeutic community. These resources align with evidence-based practices and are widely regarded as helpful tools for individuals navigating trauma and Complex PTSD.


Your trust is important to me, and I strive to offer resources that support your healing journey. Thank you for supporting my work and the resources I create to empower and guide individuals on their path to recovery.


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