Understanding Complex PTSD: How to Overcome the Challenges of Healing

Feb 27

Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) is a complex and misunderstood condition that can be difficult to diagnose and treat. It results from repeated, prolonged exposure to trauma and can have long-lasting and debilitating effects on a person's mental health. In this blog, we will explore what Complex PTSD is, the signs and symptoms, the link between Complex PTSD and Complex Trauma, available treatments, how to cope with Complex PTSD, and strategies for managing and overcoming the challenges of healing.

What is Complex PTSD?

Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) is a condition that is characterized by prolonged and repeated exposure to trauma. It is a form of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that can occur after exposure to multiple traumatic events, such as abuse, neglect, and abandonment. People with CPTSD often find it challenging to regulate their emotions, and they may struggle with relationships, self-esteem, and other aspects of their mental health.

CPTSD is different from PTSD because it is caused by ongoing and repeated trauma rather than a single traumatic event. PTSD describes those who’ve experienced shock or situational trauma such as acts of terrorism, sexual assault, car accidents, etc. Various symptoms, including emotional dysregulation, negative self-image, and difficulties with trust and relationships, also characterize CPTSD.

CPTSD is often misdiagnosed or overlooked, but it is essential to recognize the signs and symptoms of the condition to seek the right help and begin the process of healing.

Signs and Symptoms of Complex PTSD

The signs and symptoms of Complex PTSD can vary from person to person, but some common symptoms are associated with the condition. These include:

• Intrusive memories or flashbacks of the traumatic event(s)

• Difficulty regulating emotions (e.g., anger, fear, sadness)

• Negative self-image and self-blame

• Difficulty with relationships and trust

• Hypervigilance

• Sleep disturbances

• Difficulty with concentration

• Anxiety and depression

• Dissociation (feeling detached from reality)

Treatments for Complex PTSD

When it comes to treating CPTSD, the landscape becomes a bit bumpy. Commonly suggested treatments include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a form of therapy that helps to identify and challenge negative thoughts and behaviors. It can help to manage symptoms of CPTSD, such as anxiety and depression, and it can also help to develop coping skills and strategies.

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR is a form of therapy that uses eye movements and other forms of stimulation to help process traumatic memories and emotions.

• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): DBT is a therapy that focuses on teaching skills to manage emotions and improve relationships.

• Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy is a therapy that focuses on talking about and exploring thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It can help manage symptoms of CPTSD and develop coping strategies.

• Medication: Medication can be used to help manage symptoms of CPTSD, such as anxiety and depression.

In truth, while these interventions have their place, they’re not appropriate starting points (with perhaps the exception of medication). Those with complex trauma are often stuck in a threat state, making interventions that front-load therapy with emotions and reexperiencing counterproductive and dangerous.

Treating complex trauma starts with regulating the nervous system and calming the body. The simple truth is a calm body can't be traumatized; it is impossible to experience anxiety in a calm body. This is why the Alchemé method initially emphasizes coping skills and somatic and energetic practices. The beautiful surprise is that 90% of the time, once these skills have been developed, the symptoms that my clients were experiencing are gone making specific therapeutic approaches like CBT or Narrative Exposure Therapy irrelevant and no longer needed.

How to Begin Healing Complex PTSD

While many practitioners will say there’s no healing CPTSD, this is patently false. You can absolutely eradicate and heal CPTSD with the proper approach and a trained guide for addressing CPTSD. I encourage you to set up a complimentary consultation to discuss where you see yourself today, where you want to be, and how I can bridge the gap between the two. In the meantime, here are some tips for coping with CPTSD:

• Practice self-care: Self-care is essential for managing symptoms of CPTSD. Make sure to prioritize rest, exercise, and healthy eating.

• Reach out to supportive people in your life: Connecting with supportive friends and family can help manage symptoms of CPTSD.

• Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness can help to reduce stress and anxiety. Try to practice mindfulness throughout your day, such as taking a few minutes to focus on breathing or taking a walk in nature.

• Take time for yourself: Taking time for yourself is essential for managing symptoms of CPTSD. Make sure to take time to do activities that you enjoy and make you feel good.

• Find ways to express yourself: Finding ways to express yourself can help to manage emotions and process traumatic experiences. This can include writing, art, music, or other forms of creative expression.

How to Overcome the Challenges of Healing

While healing CPTS is possible and relatively simple, that doesn't mean it’s always easy. Here are some suggestions for dealing with any challenges you face:

• Be patient with yourself: Recovery from CPTSD can take time, and it is essential to be patient with yourself.

• Take things one step at a time: Healing is an ongoing process.

• Acknowledge your feelings: Acknowledging your feelings can help you to process them and move forward.

• Find support: Finding support from friends, family, or a mental health professional can help manage symptoms and healing challenges. I encourage you to explore the free resources I provide.

• Practice self-care: Self-care is essential for managing symptoms of CPTSD and overcoming healing challenges. Make sure to prioritize rest, exercise, and healthy eating.

How to Find Support

Having adequately trained and experienced support is essential to healing CTSD. Here are some tips for finding support:

• Only seek support from those trained as trauma specialists, specifically complex trauma.

• Ask questions about the method used in sessions. Get specific, and don’t be afraid to ruffle feathers. Some practitioners may get defensive with multiple and specific questions, but don’t let this deter you; let it inform you. Those properly trained will welcome your questions.

• If a therapist or coach asks you at the start of a session, “how are you feeling” or “how have you been” run out the door. This is amygdala-centered questioning which is counterproductive and even dangerous for those with complex trauma.

• Ask how mindfulness, meditation, and breathwork/bodywork figure into therapy. Research shows us that addressing the body and the energy emitted within and around the body is crucial to healing, yet these are the most overlooked interventions.

• Schedule a free consult today: Schedule a free consultation to learn how I can help bridge the gap between where you see yourself now and where you want to be.

Finally

Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) is a complex (no pun intended) and often misunderstood condition that can be difficult to diagnose and treat. It results from prolonged and repeated exposure to trauma and can have long-lasting and debilitating effects on a person's mental and physical health. Various treatment options are available, but starting with bodily and energetic practices that regulate and restore the nervous system is paramount.

If you are struggling with Complex PTSD, remember that you are not alone, a study in 2021 indicated that 49.5% of the participants met the criteria for CPTSD, while only 4% met the criteria of PTSD. There is help available, and it is possible to overcome healing challenges. Schedule a free consult today to learn how I help you reduce and eventually eliminate the symptoms of CPTSD so you can be open to all life has to offer you!