What are the differences between PTSD and CPTSD?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) are both mental health conditions that result from trauma, but they differ in the nature of the trauma, symptoms, and impact on a person’s life.

PTSD typically arises from a single traumatic event or a brief period of intense trauma, such as an accident, assault, or natural disaster. People with PTSD may experience symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, hyperarousal, emotional numbness, and avoidance of reminders of the trauma. The symptoms are often triggered by specific events or situations related to the trauma.

CPTSD, on the other hand, results from prolonged or repeated trauma, often over months or years. This could include experiences like ongoing abuse, captivity, or neglect. The trauma tends to be interpersonal, such as chronic domestic violence or childhood abuse. In addition to the core PTSD symptoms, CPTSD includes additional issues like difficulties in emotional regulation, negative self-perception, and interpersonal struggles. People with CPTSD may experience feelings of shame, guilt, or worthlessness and often have trouble forming healthy relationships due to trust issues and emotional detachment. They may also experience dissociation, where they feel disconnected from themselves or the world around them.

CPTSD involves more profound changes in a person’s identity, emotional state, and relationships. Treatment for CPTSD often requires more comprehensive therapy, such as EMDR, IFS, to address the complex nature of the symptoms.