Learning About Complex PTSD: Symptoms & Self-Harm

Posted on June 18th, 2024

Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) is a severe and often misunderstood mental health condition that arises from prolonged exposure to traumatic events.

While PTSD is widely recognized, CPTSD remains less understood despite its significant impact on people's lives.

This article aims to explain Complex PTSD, its symptoms, differences from PTSD, and its association with self-harm.

What is Complex PTSD?

Complex PTSD develops in response to chronic trauma that continues or repeats for months or years at a time. Unlike PTSD, which can result from a single traumatic incident, CPTSD is typically linked to long-term abuse, domestic violence, or captivity situations where the victim has little or no chance of escape. These prolonged traumas affect a person's sense of self and the world, leading to more extensive psychological impacts.

Symptoms of Complex PTSD

Key symptoms of CPTSD include:

1. Emotional Dysregulation: People may struggle with intense emotions, such as rage, sadness, or fear, and have difficulty managing them.
2. Negative Self-Concept: Those affected often feel worthless, guilty, or ashamed and may have a pervasive sense of failure.
3. Interpersonal Difficulties: Maintaining healthy relationships can be challenging due to distrust, isolation, or dependency.
4. Dissociation: This can include memory problems, feelings of detachment from oneself, or a sense of unreality.
5. Physical Symptoms: Chronic pain, headaches, and other somatic symptoms are common.

CPTSD vs. PTSD

Key Differences

Here are the primary differences:

• Trauma Duration and Type: PTSD generally results from a single traumatic event, whereas CPTSD results from prolonged or repeated trauma.
• Symptom Complexity: CPTSD symptoms are more complex and pervasive, affecting many aspects of a person's life, including their self-concept and relationships.
• Treatment Approaches: Effective treatment for CPTSD often requires a longer and more nuanced approach, incorporating trauma-informed therapy that addresses the deep-seated issues stemming from prolonged trauma.

Shared Symptoms

Despite their differences, CPTSD and PTSD share several symptoms, including:

• Intrusive Memories: Flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety triggered by reminders of the trauma.
• Avoidance: Efforts to avoid thinking about or discussing the trauma and avoiding places, activities, or people that remind them of the traumatic event.
• Hyperarousal: Being easily startled, feeling tense, and having difficulty sleeping.

The Impact of CPTSD on Daily Life

Emotional and Mental Health Challenges

CPTSD can severely impact a person's emotional and mental well-being. The persistent emotional dysregulation can lead to mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. The constant negative self-concept can erode self-esteem and lead to self-destructive behaviors.

Physical Health Issues

Chronic trauma can manifest physically. People with CPTSD may experience chronic pain, gastrointestinal issues, and other stress-related health problems. These physical symptoms can exacerbate the emotional and psychological challenges, creating a cycle of suffering that is difficult to break.

Interpersonal Relationships

Maintaining healthy relationships can be challenging for people with CPTSD. Trust issues, fear of abandonment, and difficulty managing emotions can lead to conflicts and isolation. The person may also have a distorted sense of boundaries, either being overly dependent or excessively detached.

CPTSD & Self-Harm

Self-harm is a coping mechanism some people with CPTSD use to deal with their intense emotions and psychological pain. This behavior can take many forms, such as cutting, burning, or hitting oneself. It is often a way to express feelings that cannot be put into words or to exert control over their body when they feel powerless in other areas of their lives.

Why Self-Harm Occurs in CPTSD

The prolonged trauma experienced by people with CPTSD leads to overwhelming emotions and a diminished sense of self-worth. Self-harm can serve as a temporary relief from emotional numbness or intense feelings of guilt and shame. Unfortunately, this coping mechanism can become a dangerous cycle, as the relief is short-lived, and the underlying issues remain unaddressed.

Addressing Self-Harm in Therapy

Addressing self-harm in therapy involves helping the person develop healthier coping mechanisms and building a supportive and trusting therapeutic relationship.

Trauma-Informed Therapy for CPTSD

What is Trauma-Informed Therapy?

Trauma-informed therapy is an approach that acknowledges the pervasive impact of trauma on a person's life and seeks to create a therapeutic environment that promotes safety, empowerment, and healing.

Principles of Trauma-Informed Therapy

1. Safety: Ensuring that the therapeutic environment is physically and emotionally safe for the person.
2. Trustworthiness and Transparency: Building a trusting relationship through clear and open communication.
3. Peer Support: Encouraging connections with others who have experienced similar traumas.
4. Collaboration and Mutuality: Fostering a partnership between the therapist and the person.
5. Empowerment: Helping the person regain control over their life and build self-efficacy.
6. Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues: Recognizing and respecting the person's background and experiences.

Techniques Used in Trauma-Informed Therapy

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps people identify and change negative thought patterns.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Aids in processing and integrating traumatic memories.
• Somatic Experiencing: Focuses on the body's physical response to trauma and aims to release stored tension.
• Mindfulness-Based Therapies: Encourage present-moment awareness and self-compassion.

Seeking Help for CPTSD

Recognizing the Need for Professional Help

People with CPTSD often struggle with recognizing the severity of their symptoms and may feel ashamed or unworthy of help. It is important to understand that seeking therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Finding the Right Therapist

Finding a therapist who specializes in trauma-informed care is crucial for effective treatment. Look for professionals with experience in treating CPTSD and who demonstrate empathy, understanding, and a commitment to creating a safe therapeutic environment.

The Benefits of Trauma-Informed Therapy

Engaging in trauma-informed therapy can lead to significant improvements in emotional regulation, self-esteem, and overall quality of life.

At Clare-Lara Chambers, we are addressing the root causes of trauma and developing healthier coping mechanisms, people with CPTSD can rebuild their lives and foster meaningful relationships.

Conclusion

Understanding Complex PTSD and its symptoms, as well as its impact on self-harm, is vital for recognizing the challenges faced by those affected. Trauma-informed therapy offers a path to healing by addressing the deep-seated issues caused by prolonged trauma and helping people develop healthier coping mechanisms.

At Clare-Lara Chambers, we offer professional counseling and psychotherapy services tailored to the needs of people with CPTSD.

Our trauma-informed approach ensures that you receive the compassionate and effective care you deserve.

Contact us today at 07450 266970 or [email protected] to start your journey toward healing.