PTSD vs CPTSD According To A Trauma Therapist
We’ve talked a lot about trauma and PTSD treatment on the blog the past couple of months.
Blog posts ranging from trauma is, commonly overlooked traumatic experiences, how trauma impacts us in the here and now, to trauma triggers and expanding your window of tolerance… there’s a lot of solid info here!
Many of the folks we work with here at Reclaim have heard of PTSD, but haven’t necessarily heard or learned too much about CPTSD.
One reason for that is because Complex PTSD is not yet recognized or included in the diagnostic statistical manual. We have feelings about that- but that’s for another day!
We know that all types of trauma can leave a profound impact on our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. As trauma therapists in Horsham, PA specializing in PTSD treatment near me and complex PTSD therapy, it feels important to provide some education around both PTSD and CPTSD.
What is trauma?
Trauma is any event that overwhelms your capacity to cope. Peter Levine, the founder of somatic experiencing, states that trauma is experiencing fear in the face of helplessness. Fear plus helplessness equals trauma. When someone experiences trauma, often their nervous system gets stuck in a survival response- fight/fight/freeze.
Trauma shakes the very foundation of your sense of safety and security. It can result from a single event or emerge from prolonged, repeated exposure to distressing circumstances or events. Regardless of its form, trauma leaves an imprint on your nervous system.
Common Symptoms of Trauma
Changes in mood or disposition, including anger, outbursts, sadness, despair, and hopelessness
Substance abuse or addiction to porn, gambling, sex, or reckless behaviors
Somatic symptoms such as body aches, nausea, numbness, dizziness, blurred vision, digestive issues
Isolation and hopelessness
Shame or guilt
Nightmares and sleeplessness or chronic insomnia
Difficulty stabilizing emotions, erratic changes in behavior or mood
Feeling startled by fast movements or loud sounds
Nervous system dysregulation
Dissociation
Fragmentation
Acting out re-enactments
Anniversary trauma
Intergenerational and collective trauma
What is PTSD?
Imagine PTSD as a snapshot of trauma—an intense and sudden experience, that as we shared earlier, leaves its mark on your nervous system. It typically arises from a single traumatic incident, like a car accident, combat experience, or a natural disaster. The symptoms of PTSD are often vivid and tied closely to the traumatic event.
The symptoms of PTSD might include flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and avoidance behaviors. These symptoms of PTSD can disrupt daily life, strain relationships, and lead to increasing feelings of isolation and anxiety.
Treatment for PTSD often involve therapeutic approaches like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR therapy), Internal Family Systems and Somatic interventions like Somatic Experiencing.
What is Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Complex PTSD)
Instead of the snapshot analogy, think of CPTSD as an album of photos, each one representing a different traumatic experience. CPTSD typically emerges from prolonged and repeated exposure to trauma, such as ongoing childhood abuse, neglect, or captivity.
The symptoms of CPTSD differ from those of PTSD in several critical ways. They tend to be chronic and pervasive, affecting various aspects of life. Emotional dysregulation, disturbed self-identity, and challenges in forming healthy relationships are common symptoms of CPTSD.
In CPTSD, one's self-esteem and self-worth can be profoundly impacted, leading to a long journey of self-discovery and healing. Unlike PTSD, where symptoms are primarily tied to a specific traumatic incident, CPTSD symptoms permeate multiple facets of life.
Key Differences Between PTSD and CPTSD
Duration and Chronicity: PTSD symptoms often have a relatively short duration and can improve over time with treatment. In contrast, CPTSD symptoms are chronic and persistent, woven deeply into the fabric of one's life.
Dissociation: While individuals with PTSD may experience dissociation, it's typically related to the specific traumatic event. Dissociation is more prevalent in CPTSD, often becoming a coping mechanism to navigate ongoing trauma.
Emotional Dysregulation: In PTSD, emotional responses are often tied to the traumatic memory and may not extend beyond it. CPTSD is characterized by emotional dysregulation that affects various aspects of life and relationships.
Self-Identity and Relationships: Self-identity in PTSD may remain relatively intact, with symptoms primarily related to the traumatic incident. In CPTSD, self-esteem, self-worth, and the ability to form and maintain healthy relationships are profoundly impacted.
Overlapping Symptoms
It's important to recognize that there are shared symptoms between PTSD and CPTSD, which can sometimes lead to misdiagnosis or confusion. Here are some of the overlapping symptoms:
Flashbacks and Intrusive Thoughts: Both conditions can involve intrusive memories, flashbacks, and distressing thoughts related to the traumatic experiences.
Avoidance Behaviors: Individuals with both PTSD and CPTSD may engage in avoidance behaviors to steer clear of reminders of their trauma, which can limit their daily activities and social interactions.
Hyperarousal: Symptoms of hyperarousal, such as increased irritability, difficulty sleeping, and a heightened startle response, can be present in both conditions.
Emotional Numbing: Emotional numbing, where individuals may have difficulty feeling positive emotions or express flat affect, is a shared feature.
Negative Self-Perception: Negative self-perception and feelings of guilt or shame are common in both PTSD and CPTSD.
Difficulty Concentrating: Concentration and memory problems can occur in both conditions due to the emotional and psychological toll of trauma.
Interpersonal Challenges: Relationships can be strained in both PTSD and CPTSD due to difficulties in trust, communication, and emotional intimacy.
As you can see there are many overlapping symptoms of PTSD and CPTD. Because of this, it is crucial for folks looking for PTSD treatment of Complex Trauma therapy to consult with a trauma therapist who can support you in conceptualizing and understanding your experiences and how your nervous system operates.
Recovery and Healing form PTSD and complex PTSD
If you’re struggling with PTSD or CPTSD, we want you to know that healing and recovery is possible. Finding specialized trauma therapy near me is a critical step, and there are several effective interventions that support your recovery.
Therapists with a trauma-informed approach and training in bottom up approaches can provide guidance and support tailored to your unique needs.
The Reclaim Therapy team leans heavily on these interventions for complex PTSD treatment and PTSD treatment:
EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): EMDR is a widely recognized therapy for trauma treatment. It involves the use of bilateral stimulation, often through eye movements, to help individuals process traumatic memories and reduce their emotional charge.
Somatic Experiencing: This therapeutic approach focuses on the body's role in trauma. Somatic Experiencing helps individuals release and regulate the physical sensations associated with trauma, promoting a sense of safety and well-being.
Internal Family Systems (IFS): IFS is an approach that recognizes the different parts of a person's internal system, often referred to as "parts," and works to integrate and heal these parts. It can be particularly effective in addressing complex trauma by helping individuals understand and manage the internal conflicts that may arise.
These interventions can help process traumatic memories and alleviate the distressing symptoms in the wake of PTSD and CPTSD.
If you’re looking for trauma therapy near me, our team is ready to support you.
Understanding the similarities and differences between PTSD and CPTSD can help you find the right kind of support for recovery.
We’re a team of trauma therapists near me, who provide complex PTSD treatment and PTSD treatment in via online therapy in Pennsylvania and in our office in Horsham, PA.
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Reclaim Therapy is a group of trauma therapists who provide EMDR therapy for trauma and EMDR therapy for eating disorders in Pennsylvania.
We provide specialized therapy for eating disorders, PTSD and CPTSD. We are passionate about helping people reclaim their lives from trauma, disordered eating, diet culture and body shame, and believe that healing and recovery is possible.
Ready to learn more about how we can support you on your healing path?