What is CPTSD? — Parenting without a Parent

CPTSD stands for Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a condition where you experience some symptoms of PTSD with added additional symptoms. Such as difficulty balancing emotions such as anger or blanket distrust towards the world.

The unpredictability of PTSD makes it difficult to deal with the complexity of everyday life. When someone is exposed to a traumatic event that is witnessed or physically felt, it can stay with them for years to come. Although the individuals may show symptoms constantly, others can have occasional episodes that appear at random times or only in difficult situations of stress, known as triggers.

What is the difference between PTSD and CPTSD?

The difference between PSTD and CPTSD, also known as Complex PTSD is that PTSD usually occurs after a single event. CPTSD is generally connected to repeated trauma. While someone that has experienced repeated trauma from childhood abuse or sexual assault is associated with CPTSD. Someone with a traumatic childbirth experience, such as a near-death experience of a child or themselves, can lead to PTSD.

Is Complex PTSD worse than PTSD?

There is no comparison between Complex PTSD or PTSD, although CPTSD can trigger several extreme symptoms associated with PTSD. At its core, CPTSD can lead to 7 or more symptoms appearing daily. While on the other hand, PTSD can lead to 1 or more symptoms appearing daily; both numbers are without treatment.

What medications are used to treat CPTSD?

Sertraline (Zoloft) is FDA-approved for treating PTSD and is one of the most common medications for this condition.
Paroxetine (Paxil) is the only other FDA-approved medication for PTSD
Fluoxetine (Prozac) is used off-label for treating PTSD.

There are 17 general symptoms of PTSD:

One of the best-known symptoms of PTSD is due to television or film depictions. A person going through their day is suddenly confronted with a memory or feeling from a traumatic event or situation.
People that endure trauma can have vivid, disturbing dreams that result in waking up screaming or having insomnia.
Avoid certain places or situations that can trigger memories or feelings of the trauma.
A natural defense of the brain blocks specific memories to cope with everyday life. Without proper treatment, these memories resurface and result in nightmares, intrusive thoughts, and avoidance of daily activities.
People who survived trauma can feel hopeless and unable to visualize a future milestone or old age. They often have a negative perception of themselves and the world.
Trauma survivors may feel disconnected from people to avoid triggers or feelings that no one will understand them.
PTSD creates a state where the brain enters a "fight, flight, or freeze" at random times on a day-to-day basis. This anger can result in lashing out at others and not fully understanding why.
People with PTSD can feel unmotivated or uninterested in activities that once made them happy or content.
The body's defense mechanism increases alertness to be ready for other threats. This defensive state is the most exhausting for trauma survivors because it can keep the brain in a hyper-sensory condition.
Due to the mind and body being in constant defense and anxiety, people with PTSD can have issues concentrating on work, home, and school.
The mind must let its guard down to sleep; people with PTSD are in a defensive state that prevents natural sleep.
Flashbacks are different from intrusive thoughts because the feelings may reflect a traumatic event repeating on a loop. The memory can be vivid enough that it tricks the mind into that the event is actually happening.
IAny reminder of an event or feeling can trigger a flashback or the body’s natural defense mechanism, so people with PTSD will avoid certain places or people.
People living with PTSD sometimes will cast blame on themselves or others in the situation.
People with PTSD will sometimes not trust positive emotions. Such as, a graduation party may become overwhelming because the mind will activate the natural defense mechanism to not let its guard down.
Slight noises can make someone with PTSD uneasy and jumpy. To reduce the startle response, some people will unknowingly self-medicate with alcohol or opioids.
The last symptom of PTSD is engaging in risky behavior. Risky behaviors include drug abuse, alcoholism, unsafe sex, high-adrenaline activities, and behavioral addictions (gambling, shopping, etc.). Most people with PTSD are more likely to try substances at a younger age; this can result in addiction issues. Those coping with their trauma through "compulsive comfort-seeking" should seek professional treatment as soon as possible.