Many types of trauma are temporary. However, some forms of trauma can be chronic and ongoing. A person may endure certain traumatic experiences repeatedly for months or even years.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can arise from any type of trauma — a car accident, natural disaster, or near-death experience — but Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) typically develops from long-term or repeated trauma, such as:
- Domestic violence
- Childhood neglect or abuse
- War
- Torture, sex trafficking, or slavery
- Sexual abuse
Paired with experiencing a traumatic event, other factors can increase someone’s risk of developing C-PTSD, including that harm coming from someone they trusted or feeling they were unable to escape the repeated trauma.
Understanding C-PTSD and the Symptoms
C-PTSD is more than just feeling sad or scared. It can affect how a person thinks, feels, and acts. According to the Cleveland Clinic, C-PTSD is a newer diagnosis and research is lacking on how common the condition is, but experts estimate that it may affect 1–8% of the world’s population.
People with C-PTSD might experience a variety of symptoms, such as:
- Reliving the traumatic events, as if they are happening all over again, through flashbacks.
- Avoiding places, people, or situations that remind them of the trauma.
- Having feelings of hopelessness or believing that they are worthless.
- Feeling very angry, sad, or anxious most of the time, or sometimes feeling numb.
People experiencing C-PTSD typically have additional symptoms, such as chronic issues with emotion regulation, identity and sense of self, and relationships.
How Can People Get Help?
There’s no specific test to diagnose C-PTSD, but it’s important for anyone who thinks they might have C-PTSD to talk to a mental health professional, like a therapist or counselor. They can determine a diagnosis by discussing your symptoms, medical history, mental health history, and any exposure to trauma.
3.8% of the adult population in the United States has complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD).
Some ways to get help include:
- Therapy: This can include cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), or dialectical behavior therapy
- Support Groups: Meeting others who have similar experiences can provide comfort and understanding.
- Self-Care: Taking care of oneself through exercise, hobbies, and spending time with friends can also help improve mood.
- Medication: A healthcare professional may prescribe antidepressants, anxiety medication, or sleep aids to help with recovery and treatment.
If you or someone you know is facing difficulties, it’s crucial to reach out for help and know that it’s okay to talk about it. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.