Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
2-minute read
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder describes the long-term effects of severe, prolonged or repeated trauma, particularly due to child abuse or domestic violence. This has a wide range of effects on personality, identity, memory, mood change and emotional regulation.
Complex PTSD symptoms
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition caused by severe, life-threatening trauma such as witnessing a death or natural disaster.
Complex PTSD describes a more severe and long-term condition that can occur after prolonged and repeated trauma, particularly in childhood. Trauma can cause problems with memory and disrupt the development of a person’s identity and their ability to control emotions and form relationships with others.
Symptoms of complex PTSD are similar to the symptoms of PTSD. They include:
- an inability to control emotions
- periods of losing concentration (dissociation)
- blanking out or losing memories
- difficulties with a sense of identity or body image
- physical symptoms that can’t be explained medically, such as headaches, stomach aches, dizziness and chest pains
- disturbed relationships and cutting oneself off from other people
- an inability to trust others
- being vulnerable to abuse or exploitation
- self-harm, suicide attempts and substance abuse
- feeling ashamed or guilty
- difficulty controlling emotions
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What causes complex PTSD?
Complex PTSD can be caused by any type of severe and long-term trauma, and usually involves situations where the victim has little control and is unable to escape.
The types of traumatic situations which can cause this disorder include:
- long-term childhood physical or sexual abuse
- long-term domestic violence
- concentration camps or prisoner of war camps
- prostitution, brothels or sex trafficking
- organised child exploitation rings
Complex PTSD recovery
A diagnosis of complex PTSD should only be made by a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist who gets to know the person over a period of time.
Treatments
The main form of treatment for complex PTSD is long-term psychological therapy. This helps people slowly regain their trust in others. Then they can gradually start making friends, finding a job and finding hobbies.
People with complex PTSD often have problems with drug and alcohol use, anxiety and depression. These will need treatment too.
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Last reviewed: February 2019