PTSD vs. C-PTSD, What’s the Difference?

Most people will experience a traumatic event at some point in life. Many feel better after a few weeks, but for some, the effects last much longer. These lasting symptoms may be a sign of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A lot of people have heard of PTSD, but fewer know about complex PTSD (C-PTSD). PTSD was first named as a mental health condition in 1980. C-PTSD is a newer idea. Both PTSD and C-PTSD come from going through difficult or scary experiences. Their causes and symptoms are what differentiates them.

What Causes PTSD

PTSD can happen after a single scary or dangerous event. This might be something you personally experienced or something you saw happen to someone else. Examples may include experiencing a serious car crash, a natural disaster, losing someone close to you, being hurt by violence or being in a war.

PTSD Symptoms

People with PTSD may feel and act in different ways, but there are four main signs:

● Upsetting thoughts – You might have nightmares or flashbacks that make it feel like the event is happening again.

● Avoiding reminders – You may stay away from people, places, or things that remind you of what happened.

● Negative thinking – You might feel like the world is unsafe or have trouble feeling good about yourself or others.

● Feeling on edge – You may get angry easily, feel jumpy, have trouble sleeping, or do things to try to numb your feelings, like drinking alcohol excessively or taking unnecessary risks.

What Causes C-PTSD

C-PTSD usually comes from going through long-lasting trauma, especially when it happens again and again over time. This often starts in childhood. It can include things like being hurt by someone you trust, being ignored or left alone, or living in a place where you felt trapped or unsafe. These experiences can make it harder to feel safe, manage emotions, or build healthy relationships as you grow up.

C-PTSD symptoms

C-PTSD includes the same symptoms as PTSD, like flashbacks, feeling on edge, or avoiding reminders of what happened. But people with C-PTSD often have other struggles too, such as:

● Not feeling good about yourself – You might feel shame, guilt, or like you’re not worth much.

● Big emotions that are hard to manage – You might become really angry, feel very sad, or feel nothing at all.

● Difficulty with relationships – It can be hard to trust others or feel close to people.

In the U.S., C-PTSD is not an official diagnosis yet, so mental health professionals may call it something else, like PTSD, anxiety, or depression, to treat the symptoms.

Taking Care of Yourself

Taking care of your body and mind is an important part of healing from trauma. Here are some suggestions that can help:

● Eat healthy foods, move your body, and try to get enough rest and sleep.

● Practice calming techniques like slow deep breathing or a grounding exercise using your 5 senses, when you feel overwhelmed.

● Do things you enjoy, like art, reading, music, or activities that help you feel calm, like being out in nature, or yoga.

● Spend time with people you trust who make you feel safe and supported.

These small steps can make a big difference over time.

Getting Help

You can heal from PTSD and C-PTSD!

If you see these signs in yourself, talk to a mental health professional. Some therapists are trained to help people who have been through trauma.

There are many types of therapy that work well, like talking through the memories, learning ways to calm your body, or using methods like EMDR or prolonged exposure therapy. You don’t have to go through it alone. Give us a call to find out more.