Trauma impacts everyone differently, and even if you do identify with having some trauma in your past, you may not fully understand its effects or symptoms. Trauma is much more than the “content” of the event itself- instead, it’s about how it may uniquely impact your nervous system, disrupt your sense of self, or compromise your capacity to form secure attachments to others.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) refers to a set of responses that can occur after a single traumatic event. Complex post-traumatic stress (CPTSD), on the other hand, may arise from chronic, prolonged, and repeated trauma. Knowing the similarities and differences between both conditions offers a helpful starting point for understanding your specific symptoms, and it can offer guidance for seeking the right treatment for your needs.
What is PTSD?
PTSD is a mental health condition that may develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It’s estimated that approximately 8% of all women and 4% of all men will meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD at some point during their lives. However, because trauma symptoms are often shameful, covert, or hard to self-identify, exact statistics can be hard to come by.
Single-episode events vary in type and intensity, but they may include natural disasters, physical or sexual assault, or a car accident. Symptoms of PTSD may emerge soon after the event occurs, but they can also be delayed, occurring several months or years later.
Some of the main symptoms of PTSD include:
- hypervigilance or feeling on edge most of the time
- flashbacks or a sensation of reliving the traumatic event
- emotional numbness or dissociation
- avoidance behaviors
- irritability or intense mood swings
- sleep disturbances, including nightmares, night terrors, or insomnia
What is CPTSD?
Complex PTSD results from long-term exposure to challenging or unsafe situations. These types of chronic trauma can be insidious- they may include long-term physical abuse, emotional abuse, or a profound sense of neglect.
At this time, the DSM doesn’t formally recognize CPTSD, although most mental health professionals agree that it’s absolutely a valid diagnosis. Furthermore, in 2018, it was included as a distinct condition within the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11).
Discerning CPTSD can be tricky for many reasons. First, many people with CPTSD initially don’t identify with having trauma. That’s because their experiences may not match the stereotypical idea of what trauma “should” look like. They might also be focused more on those quintessential, identifiable events that coincide with PTSD.
In addition, when you grow up in a hostile or toxic environment, you often assume that’s the normal status quo. You may intellectualize certain symptoms or struggle to recognize how unstable or difficult your upbringing was. It’s easy to fall into the painful trap of comparing other situations to yours and believing that your trauma wasn’t “bad enough.”
Finally, many people with C-PTSD are high-functioning. For example, you may be used to being independent and “getting things done.” you have learned how to adapt to adversity and thrive. While this can absolutely ensure your sense of survival, it can also make it difficult to be in touch with your actual needs or emotions.
In addition to PTSD symptoms, people with CPTSD experience other difficulties, including:
- persistent feelings of intense shame and guilt
- perceptual feelings of being ‘unworthy’ or ‘unlovable’
- challenges associated with emotional regulation
- fear of intimacy or abandonment
- unstable sense of self and/or very low self-esteem
Many people with CPTSD may resonate with this existential idea that their whole life is a “trauma response.” That’s because symptoms can feel so ingrained, habitual, and complex that they affect your entire identity, making it difficult to discern your true personality from your hypervigilance.
Differences in PTSD Vs CPTSD Treatment Approaches
The key difference between PTSD vs CPTSD is that PTSD results from a single traumatic event and often triggers fear-based symptoms, while CPTSD generally stems from pervasive childhood trauma and can impact all parts of the self.
With that, both PTSD and CPTSD can benefit from trauma-focused therapy. However, specific treatment approaches often differ based on your specific symptoms or needs. For instance, PTSD treatment entails processing a single trauma and achieving a sense of resolution. However, CPTSD treatment tends to be more integrative and nuanced- it takes time to really unpack those long-term patterns of emotional dysregulation, intense shame, or extreme stress.
EMDR: EMDR has been widely studied for PTSD treatment. EMDR offers a structured protocol for reconciling distressing memories and achieving a sense of emotional desensitization. It’s typically more effective for those with:
- single-episode traumas
- limited to no dissociation symptoms
- good coping skills already in place
Somatic therapy: Somatic therapies strengthen the mind-body connection by helping people feel more embodied in daily life. This type of therapy focuses more on what and how you feel within your body rather than solely paying attention to your thoughts or beliefs. This work can be particularly effective for people with:
- complex PTSD, long-term trauma, or very early trauma
- high levels of arousal and reactivity or dissociation
- a desire to process trauma without engaging in standard talk therapy
Parts work: Parts work derives from the concept of internal family systems and embraces the idea that all people have “multiple parts” within them. Having compassion for each of these parts allows you to better understand your needs and inner conflicts. Parts work may be beneficial if you:
- often resonate with feeling like you have conflicting or contradictory emotions
- struggle with themes of self-sabotage or compulsive behavior
- identify with having intense shame that affects your capacity to show up authentically
Mindfulness: Mindfulness is often the heartbeat of any trauma work. When we’re mindful with ourselves and our emotions, we have more agency over how we react to triggering situations. That said, building the capacity for mindfulness takes time and practice. You may benefit from integrating more mindfulness if you:
- struggle to identify your own emotions or physical sensations
- feel like you’re always “go, go, go” and don’t know how to slow down
- want to be more grounded in the present moment
Therapy for PTSD and CPTSD in Seattle, Washington
Recovering from trauma unquestionably entails an internal sense of upheaval. With that, my practice is dedicated to helping clients gently reconnect with themselves in a way that cultivates authenticity and self-trust. The upheaval requires tenderness, and people with histories of prolonged trauma can deeply benefit from the safety, support, and consistency offered within therapy.
If you’re struggling with PTSD or CPTSD symptoms, you are not alone, and you are not doomed. Healing is always possible, no matter how challenging things feel right now. I am here to help you understand and manage your intense emotions and feel more empowered as you cope with life’s inevitable stressors.
I offer convenient online therapy for adults throughout Washington State. In addition to trauma therapy, I also specialize in depression and anxiety. I also treat the unique needs present within the LGBTQ+ community. Please contact me today to schedule an initial consultation.
