PTSD/Complex PTSD

[SkyIsFalling42]

Was wondering if anyone knows what the difference is between these two..if there is any???

Complex PTSD
A National Center for PTSD Fact Sheet
By Julia M. Whealin, Ph.D.
What are the differences between the effects of short-term trauma and the effects of chronic trauma?
The diagnosis of PTSD accurately describes the symptoms that result when a person experiences a short-lived trauma. For example, car accidents, natural disasters, and rape are considered traumatic events of time-limited duration. However, chronic traumas continue for months or years at a time. Clinicians and researchers have found that the current PTSD diagnosis often does not capture the severe psychological harm that occurs with such prolonged, repeated trauma. For example, ordinary, healthy people who experience chronic trauma can experience changes in their self-concept and the way they adapt to stressful events. Dr. Judith Herman of Harvard University suggests that a new diagnosis, called Complex PTSD, is needed to describe the symptoms of long-term trauma.

What are examples of captivity that are associated with chronic trauma?
Judith Herman notes that during long-term traumas, the victim is generally held in a state of captivity. In these situations the victim is under the control of the perpetrator and unable to flee.

Examples of captivity include:

Concentration camps
Prisoner of War camps
Prostitution brothels
Long-term domestic violence
Long-term, severe physical abuse
Child sexual abuse
Organized child exploitation rings
What are the symptoms of Complex PTSD?
The first requirement for the diagnosis is that the individual experienced a prolonged period (months to years) of total control by another. The other criteria are symptoms that tend to result from chronic victimization. Those symptoms include:

* Alterations in emotional regulation, which may include symptoms such as persistent sadness, suicidal thoughts, explosive anger, or inhibited anger

* Alterations in consciousness, such as forgetting traumatic events, reliving traumatic events, or having episodes in which one feels detached from one's mental processes or body

* Alterations in self-perception, which may include a sense of helplessness, shame, guilt, stigma, and a sense of being completely different than other human beings

* Alterations in the perception of the perpetrator, such as attributing total power to the perpetrator or becoming preoccupied with the relationship to the perpetrator, including a preoccupation with revenge

* Alterations in relations with others, including isolation, distrust, or a repeated search for a rescuer

* Alterations in one's system of meanings, which may include a loss of sustaining faith or a sense of hopelessness and despair

What other difficulties do those with Complex PTSD tend to experience?
Survivors may avoid thinking and talking about trauma-related topics because the feelings associated with the trauma are often overwhelming.

Survivors may use alcohol and substance abuse as a way to avoid and numb feelings and thoughts related to the trauma.

Survivors may also engage in self-mutilation and other forms of self-harm.

There is a tendency to blame the victim.
A person who has been abused repeatedly is sometimes mistaken as someone who has a "weak character."

Because of their chronic victimization, in the past, survivors have been misdiagnosed by mental-health providers as having Borderline, Dependent, or Masochistic Personality Disorder. When survivors are faulted for the symptoms they experience as a result of victimization, they are being unjustly blamed.

Researchers hope that a new diagnosis will prevent clinicians, the public, and those who suffer from trauma from mistakenly blaming survivors for their symptoms.

Summary
The current PTSD diagnosis often does not capture the severe psychological harm that occurs with prolonged, repeated trauma. For example, long-term trauma may impact a healthy person's self-concept and adaptation. The symptoms of such prolonged trauma have been mistaken for character weakness. Research is currently underway to determine if the Complex PTSD diagnosis is the best way to categorize the symptoms of patients who have suffered prolonged trauma.

[SkyIsFalling42]

Thank you morning glory. From what I gather the main difference is long term or short term trauma. I had my couseling this evening, and was told that I have Complex PTSD.
I have been dive bombed recently with memories, and we are back to placing them in "box" for now. I hate this fear of these memories, and I hate how upsetting they are.
I cannot wait until this lets up on me....it makes me doubt my reality..no control over remembering or not remembering...

[Anna]

Sky, I'm glad your therapist is offering help with your difficult memories. It is strange when life is going merrily along and out of the blue, comes a painful memory. It can be like reliving the event - I hope you are able to learn some tools to help combat these fearful memories.

Hugs and love,
Anna

[2stop]

Dearest Sky, I am so sorry you are struggling with this. I understand about the memories resurfacing, since my mom has been up here some memories have surfaced that have just floored me, never in s million years would I have thought some of these memories could have been done by her, I have not told a soul about thesse memoroes surfacing, just too disturbing, too much raw pain...and shock and disbelief. I feel for you so much Sky..you have been through too damn much. I am right besdie you though sis, holing your hand and available for you whenevr you ned me 24/7. Hang in there my sis. Your hard work and dedication will be rewarded, I justr know it. **hugs**

Sky and Tammie,

Hang in there. I know it's tough.

Think of it as being like tree rings.

<img src="http://www.orchardproject.org/images/annual%20rings.jpg">

Our past is all neatly hidden within us. Just like the tree has rings that tells it's story we also have our past stored within us. It is not a bottomless pit. It is in layers. We look at each layer and recognize the truth and move on to the next layer.

Then one day we are finsihed and reach a place of contentment. Notice also that the rings are what has formed the strong tree. Even the wounds are a part of the tree's strength.

This too shall pass.

Hugs,
MG

[SkyIsFalling42]

Sniff, Sniff, sniffle...thank you ladies. I am in a rut for sure.

2stop..i am crawling my sis..but i am still moving!!!!!!!!!! I know that i cannot stop..forward is where i need to go. I have been thinking of you and hoping that all is well. Love you whole bunches as always.

Annna...it is so very scary to find that our minds can fully block things in such a fashion!! Scares the bejeezus out of me!!

MG..that is such a good analogy..it will stick and i will remember this well. I am feeling such fear over this!! it is astounding!! I have the feeling that something horrible has happened to me..and i am about to remember it!! I know that these are memories and cannot hurt me says my rational mind, but my heart screams please no more..I do not want to know!!

I love you ladies all very much!! and thank you for being here for me.

I know Sky.

Just try to remember that the child in you is feeling all that fear from a child's perspective. What is so terrifying for a child is a lot easier for an adult to handle. You will be able to handle it. You lived through it when it happened and you will live through remembering.

Love you,
MG

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