Do I have Complex Trauma, CPTSD?
Trauma comes in different forms. While everyone will encounter trauma in their lifetime, not everyone will have lasting impacts from trauma. How trauma impacts individuals depends on how secure and loved they are during their developmental years, the type of trauma, and its duration.
How Do I know If I have Complex Trauma, CPTSD?
First, it’s important to note that Complex PTSD is not currently recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, also known as the DSM-5. Mental health professionals use the DSM-5 to diagnose mental disorders, including PTSD. Does that mean it’s not real? No. Recognition of Complex PTSD is growing among mental health providers.
Because clinicians and other mental health providers are acknowledging Complex PTSD as a disorder, it’s vital to seek professional help if you suspect you have CPTSD. Use this page only as a guide to help you if you suspect you have complex trauma, and then visit a therapist or counselor who specializes in trauma to talk about your symptoms.
When talking about trauma or why you feel you might have hurtful trauma in your background, it is best to always do it with someone who specializes in trauma for support.
Is there a difference between PTSD and CPTSD? Yes. While PTSD has symptoms such as nightmares, insomnia, panic attacks, and much more, CPTSD involves more symptoms due to the duration of trauma.
What are the 17 Symptoms of CPTSD?
If you feel you might have CPTSD, look at the list of the 17 symptoms of CPTSD:
Intrusive Thoughts
Insomnia
Nightmares
Avoiding Discussing or Thinking about the Trauma
Memory Loss
Negative Thoughts About Self and the World
Self-Isolation or Feeling Detached and Numb
Irritability and Anger
Loss of Interest in Previously Enjoyed Things
Hypervigilance
Difficulty Concentrating
Flashbacks and Re-Experiencing Events
Avoiding People, Places, and Things Related to the Event
Casting Blame and Guilt on Yourself or Others
Difficulty Feeling Positive Emotions
Exaggerated Startle Response
Reckless or Destructive Behaviors
How many do you feel you have after briefly scanning the list?
Now reconsider the list, but first pause to learn that:
Memory loss doesn’t mean losing your keys yesterday for 5 minutes. In this context, it can mean forgetting large blocks of time during which you were experiencing trauma or after trauma. Do you remember your childhood? If there’s a missing place in your memory, you might be experiencing memory loss from trauma.
Flashbacks do not always appear as they do in movies. A flashback can be as simple as a smell causing a pit in your stomach. Emotional flashbacks happen when a random event or thought causes you to experience a rush of emotions, which most likely do not make sense.
Casting blame or guilt on yourself or others might mean that you feel that an assault in your past might have been your fault.
If you suspect that you have Complex Trauma, it’s important to seek help from a trauma-informed professional to help you walk through the symptoms with understanding.
Next Steps if You Feel You Have CPTSD
If you feel you might have CPTSD, the first step would be to find a therapist or counselor who specializes in trauma. They can evaluate you for CPTSD and help guide you toward options for healing.
While waiting for an appointment, lean on those around you who support you and ask for additional support if needed. You still need a solid support system during your journey and now is a good time to figure out who wants to walk through this difficult journey with you.
Last, remind yourself that you can do this. You’ve already made it through so much, you’re closer to healing than you probably realize.
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