17 Unique Warning Signs You May Have Complex PTSD

# Article Outline

1. Introduction to Complex PTSD

2. Understanding Complex PTSD vs. PTSD

3. Causes and Risk Factors of Complex PTSD

4. The Impact of Complex PTSD on Thoughts and Emotions

5. The Effects of Complex PTSD on Mood and Behavior

6. Complex PTSD and Identity

7. Complex PTSD and Relationships

8. Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Complex PTSD

1. Feeling Unsafe

2. Lack of Emotional Regulation

3. Inability to Relax

4. Sleep Disturbances

5. Avoidance of Trigger Situations

6. Negative Self-Perception

7. Attraction to Emotionally Unavailable Individuals

8. Detachment from Traumatic Events

9. Anger Issues

10. Paranoia

11. Difficulty with Relationships

12. Preference for Solitude

13. Desire to Cease Existence

14. Loss of Systems of Meaning

15. Rigidity and Need for Control

16. Workaholism as a Coping Mechanism

17. Preoccupation with the Abuser

9. Seeking Help for Complex PTSD

10. Treatment Options for Complex PTSD

11. Overcoming Complex PTSD and Finding Healing

12. Conclusion

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17 Unique Warning Signs You May Have Complex PTSD

Most of us are familiar with PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Recognized in 1980, PTSD is a trauma and stressor-related mental disorder that affects survivors of traumatic events like traffic accidents, warfare, natural disasters, or sexual assault. However, there is another form of trauma-related psychological disorder called complex post-traumatic stress disorder or complex PTSD. Complex PTSD is a separate yet closely related condition that develops from repeated trauma over a period of time, rather than a single event.

Introduction to Complex PTSD

Complex PTSD, identified in 1994, is a severe and devastating condition that can develop due to prolonged repetitive trauma, mostly experienced during childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood. Individuals who have lived through months or years of emotional neglect, bullying, domestic violence, disrupted attachment, humiliation, or child abuse are more likely to develop this condition. The long-term effects of complex PTSD can not only impact thoughts and emotions but also drastically affect mood, behavior, personality, identity, relationships, and the overall quality of life.

Understanding Complex PTSD vs. PTSD

It is estimated that over eight percent of people in the United States experience symptoms of complex post-traumatic stress disorder. Complex PTSD often stems from chronic psychological, physical, and sexual abuse or neglect during childhood. Repeated experiences of domestic violence, bullying in school or the workplace, and situations related to kidnapping, captivity, slavery, servitude, prisoners of war, residential schooling, or cults with little or no opportunity to escape may also contribute to the development of complex PTSD.

Causes and Risk Factors of Complex PTSD

Complex PTSD is primarily caused by exposure to ongoing traumatic experiences. Children who grow up in abusive or neglectful environments are particularly vulnerable. The repeated nature of the trauma, combined with the lack of safety, stability, and nurturing, can have a profound impact on their developing brains and psychological well-being. These adverse experiences disrupt the normal development of coping mechanisms, emotional regulation, and self-esteem, increasing the risk of developing complex PTSD later in life.

The Impact of Complex PTSD on Thoughts and Emotions

Complex PTSD can have a pervasive effect on an individual's thoughts and emotions. The internal world of someone with complex PTSD may be filled with fear, shame, guilt, worthlessness, and a disordered sense of self. They may constantly feel scared, helpless, and

have a distorted view of their own identity. The trauma they have experienced shapes their perception of themselves and the world around them, leading to a constant state of distress.

The Effects of Complex PTSD on Mood and Behavior

In addition to affecting thoughts and emotions, complex PTSD can also greatly impact mood and behavior. Individuals with complex PTSD often experience difficulties with emotional regulation, leading to uncontrollable feelings of anger, fear, persistent sadness, and depression. Their inability to manage emotions effectively can result in disruptive behaviors and inappropriate responses to various situations. The trauma they have endured leaves them vulnerable to negative emotions, further exacerbating their mental health struggles.

Complex PTSD and Identity

Complex PTSD can profoundly affect an individual's sense of identity. Years or months of chronic trauma and stress can dramatically lower self-esteem, leading to intense feelings of shame, guilt, and self-doubt. Those affected by complex PTSD may develop a negative self-perception, believing themselves to be repulsive, predatory, or fundamentally flawed. These distorted self-perceptions can also impact their sexuality, making them feel disgusted by their own selves.

Complex PTSD and Relationships

Building and maintaining relationships can be challenging for individuals with complex PTSD. Their distress and fear of people can make it difficult to get intimate with others or trust them. Interacting with others may cause anxiety and self-doubt, leading them to avoid relationships altogether. However, some individuals with complex PTSD may be drawn to toxic, abusive, or emotionally unavailable individuals due to their familiarity with such dynamics. This further perpetuates their cycle of trauma and hinders their healing.

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Complex PTSD

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of complex PTSD is crucial in identifying the disorder and seeking the right treatment. Often, individuals affected by complex PTSD are not aware that they are experiencing this damaging psychological condition. Here are some common symptoms to look out for:

1. Feeling Unsafe

One of the most primary symptoms of complex PTSD is a constant feeling of being unsafe. Individuals may experience hyperarousal and be on constant alert, believing that something bad is about to happen. Even if the threat is not rational or immediate, they may have a strong inner feeling that everything will suddenly turn upside down, and their life will be ruined. This hyper-vigilance makes it difficult for them to feel safe in their environment.

2. Lack of Emotional Regulation

Due to the nature of complex PTSD, individuals may struggle with emotional regulation. They find it challenging to manage their emotions effectively, which leads to a range of intense and overwhelming feelings. The constant inability to regulate emotions makes them more vulnerable to negative emotions such as anger, fear, persistent sadness, and depression. This can result in disruptive behaviors and inappropriate responses to different situations.

3. Inability to Relax

People with complex PTSD often struggle to relax due to the prolonged trauma, anxiety, and stress they have experienced. They may find it challenging to trust others and allow themselves to get close or intimate. Engaging in relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga may initially seem revolting to them. The interconnectedness of gut health and mental health may also manifest in frequent stomach problems due to high levels of anxiety.

4. Sleep Disturbances

Individuals with complex PTSD often experience sleep disturbances. Their constant state of hyper-vigilance and hyper-arousal makes it difficult for them to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. They may also find it challenging to wake up early in the morning, as they do not get enough rest and sleep. These sleep disturbances further exacerbate their thoughts, emotions, moods, and overall physical health.

5. Avoidance of Trigger Situations

People with complex PTSD tend to avoid situations that may remind them of the traumatic events they experienced

. The traumatic experience was so damaging and destructive that they try to avoid anything remotely associated with it. This can include avoiding large crowds, specific scents, or engaging in activities that remind them of the past trauma. Encountering such triggering situations can lead to anxiety, panic, and other inappropriate reactions. In severe cases, avoidance behavior can be so intense that it prevents individuals from leaving their homes altogether.

6. Negative Self-Perception

Complex PTSD can significantly impact an individual's self-perception. The chronic trauma and stress they have endured can dramatically lower their self-esteem, leading to intense feelings of shame, guilt, and self-doubt. This negative self-perception can manifest in self-criticism, self-hatred, and feelings of being repulsive, ugly, or predatory. It can also affect their sexuality, making them feel sickened by their own selves.

7. Attraction to Emotionally Unavailable People

Individuals with complex PTSD may exhibit an unhealthy attachment style that attracts them to emotionally unavailable individuals. Despite seemingly despising needy and desperate people, they are drawn to those who are disengaged, avoidant, and uninterested. In some cases, they may even feel drawn to narcissistic individuals who are also struggling with their own emotional and psychological issues. This pattern of attraction can cause them to overlook or push away people who are emotionally present and available.

8. Feeling Detached

Complex PTSD can result in an altered state of consciousness, causing individuals to feel detached from their memories, thoughts, emotions, or sense of identity. They may experience temporary changes in consciousness and rational functioning, which can lead to a disconnection from their traumatic experiences. This dissociation or detachment can serve as a coping mechanism to protect them from overwhelming emotions or painful memories.

9. Anger Issues

Serious anger issues are often prevalent in individuals with complex PTSD. They may have a bad temper and struggle to control their anger. While this anger is mostly directed at themselves, they may also lash out at others without any justifiable reason or provocation. The anger they display is a manifestation of the fear, trauma, and anxiety they hold inside. They constantly worry about their life becoming terrible once again, leaving them feeling helpless and frustrated.

10. Excessive Paranoia

Individuals with complex PTSD may exhibit excessive paranoia and feel constantly threatened by others. They may believe that others will humiliate or insult them at every opportunity. This unwarranted fear often extends to social media, as they perceive it as a toxic and unkind environment. Their paranoia may lead to an unrealistic distrust of people in general, causing them to be highly anxious in social situations.

11. Difficulty with Relationships

Forming and maintaining relationships can be challenging for individuals with complex PTSD. Their distress and fear of people make it difficult for them to become intimate or establish meaningful connections. Lack of confidence in interacting with others leads them to avoid relationships altogether. However, some individuals may seek out relationships with toxic, abusive, or narcissistic individuals due to their familiarity with such dynamics.

12. Love for Solitude

People with complex PTSD often have a strong preference for spending time alone. However, their love for solitude is driven by their fear of others rather than a genuine enjoyment of their own company. They believe that people are hostile and dangerous, leading them to isolate themselves. This preference for solitude can make them aloof, isolated, and reclusive, further exacerbating their mental health issues.

13. Suicidal Ideation

While not everyone with complex PTSD experiences suicidal thoughts, the trauma and anxiety they endure can make them wish to cease existing. The frustration and emotional pain they feel may lead them to believe that it would have been better if they were

not alive. Suicidal ideation is a serious symptom that requires immediate professional help and support.

14. Loss of Systems of Meaning

Complex PTSD can cause individuals to lose their sense of meaning and purpose in life. The trauma they have experienced may shatter their core beliefs, leaving them feeling empty and without direction. They may struggle to find joy or derive satisfaction from activities that once brought them happiness. This loss of systems of meaning can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair.

15. Rigidity and Need for Control

People with complex PTSD often develop a strong need for control as a way to protect themselves from further harm. They may exhibit rigid behaviors and have difficulty adapting to new situations or changes. Their need for control can stem from the lack of control they experienced during their traumatic events. This rigidity can strain relationships and hinder their ability to cope with uncertainty.

16. Workaholism as a Coping Mechanism

To escape from painful emotions and memories, individuals with complex PTSD may turn to work as a coping mechanism. They throw themselves into their work, often becoming workaholics. The constant busyness and productivity act as distractions from their internal turmoil. However, this coping mechanism can lead to burnout, exhaustion, and neglect of their mental and physical well-being.

17. Preoccupation with the Abuser

Individuals with complex PTSD may find themselves preoccupied with thoughts or fantasies about their abuser. This preoccupation can manifest as an obsession, a need for revenge, or a desire to understand and make sense of the traumatic experience. Despite the harm caused, the abuser may hold a significant place in their thoughts, making it challenging for them to break free from the trauma bonds.

Seeking Help for Complex PTSD

If you recognize these signs and symptoms in yourself or someone you know, it is crucial to seek help from a mental health professional experienced in trauma-related disorders. A therapist or counselor can provide the necessary support, guidance, and treatment options to address complex PTSD effectively.

Treatment Options for Complex PTSD

Treating complex PTSD often involves a comprehensive approach that may include various therapeutic modalities. Some common treatment options for complex PTSD include:

- Trauma-focused therapy: This therapy aims to process and heal the traumatic experiences through techniques like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

- Medication: In some cases, medication may be prescribed to manage specific symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or sleep disturbances.

- Self-care and coping strategies: Developing healthy coping strategies and engaging in self-care activities like exercise, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques can support overall well-being.

- Support groups: Joining support groups or engaging in peer support can provide a sense of community and understanding among individuals who have experienced similar traumas.

- Lifestyle changes: Making positive lifestyle changes such as maintaining a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and prioritizing healthy relationships can contribute to the healing process.

It is important to note that treatment for complex PTSD is highly individualized, and what works for one person may not work for another. A mental health professional can help tailor the treatment plan to meet the specific needs and circumstances of the individual.

Overcoming Complex PTSD and Finding Healing

Recovering from complex PTSD is a journey that requires time, patience, and professional support. With the right treatment and self-care strategies, it is possible to overcome the devastating effects of complex PTSD and find healing. It is essential to remember that healing is a nonlinear process, and setbacks are normal. Through perseverance and the support of loved ones and mental health professionals, individuals with complex PTSD can reclaim their lives and create a brighter future.

Conclusion

Complex PTSD is a severe psychological condition that develops as a result of chronic and prolonged trauma. It has a profound impact on an individual's thoughts, emotions, mood, behavior, and sense of identity. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of complex PTSD is crucial in seeking appropriate help and treatment. With therapy, support, and self-care, individuals with complex PTSD can work towards healing, reclaim their lives, and find a sense of peace and well-being.