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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can affect all areas of a person’s life, and sometimes mental health professionals diagnose their patients with complex PTSD which is an even more complicated disorder to handle, especially if no psychological assistance was ever sought.
In this article, we will explore both conditions, compare complex PTSD vs PTSD, and figure out what coping strategies can be effective for people who suffer from the symptoms of either disorder.
What is PTSD?
PTSD refers to a serious mental health disorder that starts manifesting after an individual survives or witnesses a disturbing event that leaves a lasting mark on their psyche. The symptoms of PTSD may remain with the person in the long run unless they seek professional help. The inability to stay focused on the events of today, emotional dysregulation, and anxiety often caused by harmless words or actions severely affect the individual’s quality of life and generate even more stress when all they are looking for is inner peace and stability.
Symptoms of PTSD
Before you talk to a therapist or psychiatrist who will be able to formally confirm your diagnosis, you need to observe your behavior to notice the signs of PTSD:
| Symptom | Description |
| Intrusive Thoughts and Flashbacks | It is hard to control your thought patterns when you have PTSD – your mind keeps going to the worst days of your life and does not let you ground yourself in the present moment |
| Hypervigilance | You may be hypersensitive and scared when triggered as you are worried the event that caused you emotional pain might occur once more |
| Emotional Numbness | Lack of interest in activities and events you used to enjoy and inability to feel happy and excited mean that a person is no longer experiencing emotions the way they are supposed to |
| Sleep Disturbances | Insomnia and nightmares are common consequences of PTSD – you will find it hard to fall asleep and see scary and intense dreams that will ruin your mood in the morning |
| Anger and Aggressiveness | Often caused by random mood fluctuations, the angry outbursts of the person with PTSD put an additional strain on their mental well-being and cause pain to their loved ones |
Common Causes of PTSD
While PTSD develops for different reasons for every individual, it is possible to distinguish the most common factors that contribute to the development of this disorder:
- A life-altering event that traumatized the person. It may be an assault or car accident that will haunt the individual for a very long time.
- Abuse and violence. This includes physical and mental damage inflicted on the person – if your partner abused you or you were bullied and insulted at work, you may feel the repercussions of that for years to come.
- Exposure to combat. Military conflicts have a lasting effect on people who were in the army as well as civilians – your presence in the war zone will change the way you see yourself and the world around you.
Impact of PTSD on Daily Life
Researchers have proven long ago just how devastating the consequences of PTSD may be for a person who is trying to leave their traumatic past behind them and build a happier present and future for themselves and their loved ones. Even day-to-day activities – sleeping, eating, working, spending time with family and friends – feel at best like a chore and at worst like torture. Self-inflicted isolation, lack of motivation and focus, and persistent dread and fear are just a few of the major effects of this disorder on an individual’s psyche.
Understanding Complex PTSD
Complex PTSD typically develops when a person has suffered a complex trauma – the trauma in question was long-lasting or repeated, whether the person was physically or mentally hurt in the past. This is a severe disorder and must be taken just as seriously as PTSD more people may be familiar with – the symptoms of PTSD will manifest but can be even more intense and disruptive for the person’s daily functioning.
Symptoms of Complex PTSD
While the core manifestations of complex PTSD are very similar to PTSD, there are certain symptoms that hamper the emotional well-being of the individual even further:
| Symptom | Description |
| Inability to Control Emotions | Emotional dysregulation causes the person to be irritated, aggressive, and violent for no apparent reason which makes interactions with them emotionally taxing for everyone involved |
| Low Self-Esteem | Lack of self-confidence may be so severe, the individual truly believes they are worthless and irreparably damaged and are beyond saving |
| Dissociation | When you feel detached from reality and disconnected from your memories, thoughts, and even bodily sensations, it means you are exhibiting dissociation symptoms and are trying to suppress emotions related to your past |
| Guilt and Shame | Studies have confirmed that even when the events that led to the development of complex PTSD are not the responsibility of the person in question, they continue analyzing them and often come up with the conclusion that they are at fault and should be ashamed |
| Suicidal Ideations | The loneliness and isolation, anxiety and depression, and persistent feeling that no one can truly understand what you are going through increase the likelihood of suicidal thoughts in patients diagnosed with complex PTSD |
Common Causes of Complex PTSD
Once again, it is difficult to describe the personal experiences of every individual with complex PTSD but we can take a look at the most common causes of this condition:
- Childhood trauma. Whether the person was abused as a kid or abandoned and neglected by their parents, the memories about that will last long into adulthood.
- Ongoing abuse. A single incident or assault leads to PTSD while weeks, months, and years of psychological and physical threats and violence will harm the individual even more.
- Repeated exposure to violence. If you lived in an unstable household or survived a military conflict that lasted for a long time, a therapist may diagnose you with complex PTSD.
How Complex PTSD Differs From PTSD
Complex PTSD vs PTSD – what is the difference? When it comes to PTSD, the traumatic event may have lasted minutes – if an individual was assaulted or got into a car crash – yet the consequences are nevertheless severe. Complex PTSD, on the other hand, is characterized by longevity – a person survived prolonged traumatic events. The age factor also plays its part – if your symptoms stem from experiences you had to deal with as a child, it most likely means you have complex PTSD.
Similarities Between PTSD and Complex PTSD
Naturally, PTSD and complex PTSD are more alike than they are different – both conditions develop as psychological responses to a particular event regardless of how long it lasts. Individuals with either of these disorders will experience flashbacks and unwanted thoughts, exhibit hypervigilance and paranoia, and try to suppress their emotions as they make an effort to move on from their past without letting it define them.
Support Systems and Resources at Pacific Coast Mental Health
Whether you suspect you have PTSD, you are trying to figure out whether you have complex PTSD or not, or you want to modify the treatment plan you have had for a while, you should talk to a mental health specialist who will evaluate your current mental state and hear you out in a comforting and consoling environment. At Pacific Coast Mental Health, we help people overcome trauma and PTSD – reach out to us today and begin a transformative journey to become a healthy and happy person.
FAQs
What are the differences between Complex PTSD and PTSD in terms of trauma recovery and emotional regulation?
Complex PTSD may require a more intensive form of treatment such as residential treatment or a combination of several therapy modalities to tackle all the obstacles in the patient’s life.
How do anxiety and depression manifest differently in individuals with Complex PTSD compared to those with PTSD?
Mood disorders may develop in people with either of these conditions but depression is more common when a person has complex PTSD – they were exposed to violence and abuse for a long time so instead of feeling stressed and nauseous they have to cope with sadness, hopelessness, and helplessness.
What are effective coping mechanisms for managing stress responses and flashbacks in PTSD and Complex PTSD?
Rely on mindfulness practices and breathing exercises to feel secure, get yourself to a place where you feel comfortable, connect with a person you trust to share your worries and fears, and comfort yourself by speaking out loud and reminding yourself you are no longer in danger.
How do triggers influence mental health treatment options for PTSD and Complex PTSD?
The triggers cannot be ignored when a mental health specialist is mapping out a treatment plan – the patient must know they are safe during the exposure therapy and practice grounding techniques to calm down while their therapist teaches them how to recognize triggers and either avoid or confront them depending on the individual’s mental state.
What therapeutic approaches are most beneficial for addressing symptoms of PTSD and Complex PTSD?
The best solution is the combination of therapeutic interventions – a patient should try conventional and alternative therapy to improve their quality of life. The effects of cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, and eye movement desensitization can be enhanced by mindfulness-based therapy art therapy.
