What do we need to know about Complex-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD)
Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is also called Complex-PTSD or C-PTSD. It is a mental health condition which has some of the symptoms of PTSD in addition to dysregulation of emotions, anger issues and trust issues toward others. Complex-PTSD Is diagnosed in people who have suffered through terrifying traumatic experiences, violence of any kind or neglect or mental or physical abuse at any point in their life.
Symptoms of Complex-PTSD
1) Negative view of the self and the world
2) Nightmares
3) Intrusive and invasive thoughts
4) Memory loss
5) Isolating oneself
6) Anger issues and Agitation
7) Loss of interest in daily activities
8) Hypervigilance
9) Difficulty in concentrating
10) Insomnia
11) Flashbacks of the traumatic events
12) Avoiding situations reminding the traumatic event
13) Difficulty seeing positivity around them
14) Exaggerated startle response
15) Blaming self as well as others
Severity of Complex-PTSD
Complex-PTSD or C-PTSD can be serious if:
§ Traumatic events happened at early stage of life
§ Trauma was caused by parent(s) or caregiver
§ The person was alone when the event happened
§ The person is still in contact with the abuser
§ The person experienced the trauma on long-term basis
Treatment of Complex-PTSD
People are referred to psychological therapy for the treatment of C-PTSD if they have had symptoms lasting for more than 4 weeks or if symptoms are severe.
People who suffer from Complex-PTSD have trust issues so they feel it difficult opening up to the therapist. Therefore they need more sessions than the usual in order to build rapport.
There are some certain types of therapies which are used for treating C-PTSD such as Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR).
Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
As its name suggest, this type of Cognitive behavioral Therapy focuses on the traumatic event. It uses certain types of psychological techniques in which patients recall the event the details. In return, the therapist identifies the distressing emotions and feelings and underlying beliefs which are causing disturbance. The therapist helps the patient cope with the unhelpful thoughts, emotions and behaviors.
The therapist helps the patients gain control of their fear with the conclusions drawn out by describing the event by the patients themselves. The therapist will help the patient to make them feel confident enough to go back to the daily activities they once used to enjoy before. TF-CBT has 8–12 weekly sessions of about 60–90 minutes each session.
Trauma Focused CBT is usually recommended for children and adolescents with PTSD. It involves 6–12 sessions according to the age of the child, situation and level fof development.
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is a technique which has been found to decrease the symptoms of PTSD. It involves recalling and describing the traumatic event while making eye movement, usually by following the movement of your therapist’s finger.
Other methods involve therapist tapping the finger or playing a specific tone. However, it is not clear how EMDR exactly works but it may help you change the negative way you think about a traumatic incident or event.
