This is a great article that explains, from a survivor’s point of view, what the main differences are between PTSD and CPTSD. Heidi also provides information about treatment that you may find helpful when seeking a trauma informed therapist of your own.
The trauma associated with PTSD generally refers to a single traumatic event, or possibly similar events in a short time frame. Complex refers to the traumas the individual experienced, as being long-standing. Often these occur in childhood, but can also occur during other points in life. Examples could include childhood abuse, living through a time of war, sexual exploitation, domestic violence, neglect, bullying and so forth.
C-PTSD and PTSD do indeed have lots of similarities, but as I’ve outlined here today, there are a variety of distinctions that are important to understand. Recognizing these differences can help with feeling understood, finding the right treatment, and guide you to getting the support that’s needed.
This article was recommend to me by Dr. Cécile Valantin and is published on the platform The Mighty which describes itself as “a safe, supportive community for people facing health challenges and the people who care for them.”
Each of the thousands of topics contain different types of content such as “stories” which are longer form articles like the one I’m posting about here. There are also “thoughts” and “questions.” Some of the content there may be triggering to you as people sometimes share details or current suicidal thinking, etc. Please only enter with good attention to your own mental health status.