What is Trauma, PTSD, and C/PTSD?

"Trauma is a fact of life. It does not, however, have to be a life sentence." - Judith Herman

This quote encapsulates the idea that while trauma is a significant and often unavoidable part of many people's experiences, it doesn't have to define or dictate the entirety of one's life. It speaks to the resilience and potential for healing that exists even in the aftermath of trauma.

PTSD or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can arise from exposure to an event or events that overwhelm an individual’s capacity to cope, leading to intense fear, and helplessness. Some of the symptoms include:

• Intrusion Symptoms: Such as flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts related to the trauma.

• Avoidance Symptoms: Avoiding reminders of the trauma, emotional numbness, or efforts to detach from thoughts and feelings associated with the trauma.

• Hyperarousal Symptoms: Including a heightened startle response, hypervigilance, difficulty sleeping, and irritability.

• Duration of Symptoms: PTSD symptoms can persist long after the traumatic event has ended and can significantly impact daily functioning and quality of life

  Complex PTSD is a more chronic form of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that results from prolonged, repeated trauma, often beginning in childhood and involving interpersonal relationships where the individual feels trapped or powerless, and has a limited support system.

Key features of Complex PTSD:

• Chronic Trauma Exposure: Complex PTSD typically arises from exposure to prolonged or repeated trauma, such as childhood abuse (physical, emotional, sexual), domestic violence, captivity, or prolonged exposure to war, or conflict, or prolonged emotional and/or physical neglect.

• Disruption of Development: The trauma occurs at a developmental stage where it interferes with the individual's sense of self, emotional regulation, and interpersonal relationships.

• Core Symptoms: Besides the symptoms of classic PTSD (like intrusive memories, hyperarousal, avoidance), Complex PTSD may involve:

  • Emotional Dysregulation: Difficulty managing emotions, including intense anger, sadness, or shame.

  • Distorted Self-Perception: Negative beliefs about oneself (e.g., feeling worthless or damaged).

  • Difficulties in Relationships: Struggles with trust, maintaining relationships, or forming healthy attachments.

  • Loss of Meaning: Feeling hopeless or disconnected from others or from life's purpose.

• Impact on Identity: The trauma can profoundly affect the individual's sense of self, leading to a fragmented or disrupted identity.

• Longer-Term Consequences: Unlike PTSD, which can result from a single traumatic event, Complex PTSD typically manifests over a longer period and may persist for years or even decades if untreated. Complex PTSD can often undermine an individual's sense of trust in their environment and people, their sense of safety, self-agency, and self-worth.