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COMPLEX POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (CPTSD)

AutumnLeigh April 6th, 2017

**This space is for Survivors of CPTSD. This is a safe space for Survivors to share with one another and seek support in a supportive and respectful environment.**

Many traumatic events (e.g., car accidents, natural disasters, etc.) are of time-limited duration. However, in some cases Survivors experience multiple traumas, that continue or is repeated over many months or years at a time. The current PTSD diagnosis does not fully capture the severe psychological harm that occurs with prolonged, repeated trauma. People who experience chronic trauma often report additional symptoms alongside formal PTSD symptoms, such as changes in their self-concept and the way they adapt to stressful events.

Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) differs from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in that a traumatic event occurs multiple times over an extended period of time. Examples of CPTSD include:

*Concentration camps
*Prisoner of War camps
*Prostitution brothels
*Long-term domestic violence
*Long-term child physical abuse
*Long-term child sexual abuse
*Organized child exploitation rings

* Abduction/Kidnapping (including parental)

* Any form of neglect/abuse while in a situation where escape is not possible

An individual who experienced a prolonged period (months to years) of chronic victimization and complete control by another/others may also experience the following difficulties:

Emotional Regulation. May include persistent sadness, suicidal thoughts, explosive anger, or inhibited anger.
Consciousness. Includes forgetting traumatic events, reliving traumatic events, or having episodes in which one feels detached from one's mental processes or body (dissociation).
Self-Perception. May include helplessness, shame, guilt, stigma, and a sense of being completely different from other human beings.
Distorted Perceptions of the Perpetrator. Examples include attributing total power to the perpetrator, becoming preoccupied with the relationship to the perpetrator, or preoccupied with revenge.
Relations with Others. Examples include isolation, distrust, or a repeated search for a rescuer.
One's System of Meanings. May include a loss of sustaining faith or a sense of hopelessness and despair.

CPTSD Survivors are often diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), DDNOS, and other dissociative disorders. Because people who experience chronic trauma often have additional symptoms not included in the PTSD diagnosis, clinicians may misdiagnose PTSD or only diagnose a personality disorder consistent with some symptoms, such as Borderline or Dependent Personality Disorder.

Chronic trauma survivors may experience any of the following difficulties:


Survivors may avoid thinking and talking about trauma-related topics because the feelings associated with the trauma are often overwhelming.

Survivors may use alcohol or other substances as a way to avoid and numb feelings and thoughts related to the trauma.

Survivors may engage in self-mutilation and other forms of self-harm.

Survivors who have been abused repeatedly are vulnerable to further exploitation and abuse, and can be unfairly blamed for the symptoms they experience as a result of victimization.

At 7cups, we are empathetic to your past experiences and your feelings as a CPTSD Survivor. Please use this space to share your CPTSD stories, feelings and support for others. (Please avoid being graphic or triggering.)

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU! heart

edited by dancingRainbow45 06/04/2017 Additional information added

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KindofB1ue November 13th, 2021
  1. When I was 15 my best friend died in a car accident
  2. At the same time my grandfather who was like a second parent was progressively dying from cancer
  3. When I was 11-14 I suffered from severe embarrassment and bullying.
  4. My parents were not horrible but did nothing (I got blamed for a lot of things)
  5. Severe Embarrassment and bullying continued into my older years. I am 33 now.

I have all the symptoms of CPTSD and it speaks to me more accurately than PD, MDD, GAD, etc. should I bring this to my therapist as a possible diagnosis?


Mashedpotato364 December 9th, 2021

Cptsd from childhood and domestic abuse. I live in my head. I dissociate from my body. I had always been scared to move or make noise. That feels normal to me but it's not. I see other people acting goofy and laughing out loud. It takes so much for me to become active each day. By active I even mean getting up to go to the bathroom or doing a chore. Most days off from work, and even after work, are spend in bed disassociating. Jobs in the last 10 years have lasted a year or less. I can't keep them up. I become way too stressed and develope even more triggers and end up in the mental ward. I am so isolated and lonely. I have a roommate and they say I'm too much and am too focused on my trauma but it's all I know. It's all I read about and think about because it's so hard to manage. I don't feel understood because everyone tells me to get over it or invalidates what I say like just do this thing and you will be ok. I've tried all the things! I do them multiple times a day. It takes all my spoons to make it through the day even slightly ok. My roommate gets so annoyed at my exaggerated Startle response. I jump at people walking my the apartment window, at the cabinet closing too loudly, at car doors shutting, at silence being interrupted by a sudden voice, at noticing shadows or figures out of the corner of my eye, at a noise that I make and know is coming. They ask, is it always going to be like this? W a big sigh. I wear earplugs 90% of the time to block out noise. I've been in therapy for three years now and gone to inpatient several times. I feel so much shame. I feel like I can never be enough for anyone and that I'm unlovable. This is so hard to deal w. I'm sorry if you can relate but if you can please let me know that you see me and the struggle that is happening.


1 reply
hardworkingBeing2687 December 15th, 2021

Hi. I’m new here. I can relate. I’m sorry you’re experiencing this and that people around you aren’t more supportive and understanding. I became ‘too much’ for the only person I thought I could rely on at my work and they betrayed my confidence. I don’t know why but I have only a couple of friends and none that I can really rely on. However, I am learning to separate myself from feelings of toxic shame. It seems only people that have experienced this can understand it. I see you and your struggle. I can relate.

1 reply
Mashedpotato364 January 10th, 2022

Hi thank you for your response. I appreciate it a lot I didn't get a notification you replied that's why I've taken so long to get back to you. It's good you are here, welcome. I'm sorry you are dealing w a similar issue w people not understanding or being overwhelmed by it. Yeah it seems like people can't wrap their mind around what it's like to live like this. How do you separate yourself from it? I need help w that. It feels like my shame has so much power over me and facing it, even in therapy, was gut wrenching and causes a need for a psych ward stay.

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Sky90134 April 2nd, 2022

@AutumnLeigh

Thank you for making this post.

It's important for people to read this and understand PTSD and CPTSD

pvroom June 17th, 2022

I haven't read the whole thread but psychological and emotional abuse is another category which is often diminished

chrysalisburst July 16th, 2022

@AutumnLeigh

this is such an important post on a topic that is often overlocked. I fully agree with what you said about misdiagnosing of trauma as a personality disorder or something else. I would add to the list of traumas.....ongoing trauma from racial, gender, homophobic discrimination and oppression

StarlitSky4762 August 1st, 2022

thank you for creating this list