However, CPTSD is particularly common among those who experienced ongoing trauma during their developmental years - i.e., during childhood.ĬPTSD may develop from trauma inflicted by those who were meant to care for or protect you. Over time, exposure reduces fear and decreases avoidance.Any kind of trauma sustained over the long term can lead to CPTSD. During exposure therapy, psychologists create a safe environment to help “expose” individuals to the things they are afraid of. People tend to avoid things when they are afraid of them. The goal of exposure therapy is to help people confront their fears. CBT replaces these negative reactions with positive ones and beneficial coping methods. 10 CBT focuses on triggers and flashbacks or the persistent feeling of shame that occurs with Complex PTSD. Cognitive Behavioral TherapyĬognitive-behavioral- therapy ( CBT) is a psychotherapeutic treatment that helps patients learn how to identify and change destructive thought patterns that have a negative influence on their emotions or behaviors. Instead of asking, “What is wrong with this person?” they will ask “What has happened to this person?.” 9 The goal of trauma-informed care is to provide any necessary services to support the patient and to avoid triggering the patient. This approach focuses on respecting and responding appropriately to trauma’s effects. Trauma-informed care is a psychological approach that assumes an individual most likely has a history of trauma. Finally, once those bridges are built, the young people can engage with and disclose current or historical trauma. The third level involves staff members working with young people to build strong relationships. The second level follows Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, making sure that every person has support. The first level is based on the fact that every person is redeemable. There are four levels of the trauma recovery model. The trauma recovery model was originally intended to help children work through C-PTSD. This kind of therapy allows a person to be exposed to memories without having a strong psychological response. 7 During these sessions, the therapist has the patient relive traumatic experiences while directing the patient’s eye movements. EMDRĮye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy ( EMDR) “is an interactive psychotherapy technique used to relieve psychological stress. There are several different types of treatment options that someone can pursue.
It is vital to seek treatment for co-occurring complex post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorder. The most common symptoms of complicated bereavement include: This disorder can have similar effects to C-PTSD. Traumatic grief, otherwise known as complicated bereavement, happens when the loss of a loved one affects someone for a prolonged period. Overall, BPD is primarily made up of fear as the root cause, while C-PTSD may have shame as the root cause. Individuals with C-PTSD struggle with relationships because they feel they are unlovable or broken. However, this symptom occurs with BPD because there is a fear of abandonment. These two disorders can be confused with one another because of their overlapping symptoms and causes, but they do differ slightly.įor example, individuals with either disorder tend to struggle with interpersonal skills. However, Complex PTSD is developed through long-term exposure to trauma. BPD is connected to a history of trauma or neglect as well, though there could also be a genetic link. 5īPD and C-PTSD are not fully understood.
Normally, it is characterized by flashbacks to traumatic events and intense feelings of fear, sadness, shame, and worthlessness. Complex PTSD is a disorder rooted in shame.