Questions about trauma and complex PSTD

Hi @Streetspirit and welcome to the Sane forums.

I am diagnosed with complex PTSD too. I was diagnosed by my psychiatrist many years ago, so I believe it is a diagnosable MI in Australia.

Even though I have lived experience, I don't think that I can answer your questions properly as I am not a professional.

Have you ever sought help from a psychiatrist or gp? They would be the best people to diagnose you.

Looking forward to seeing you around on the forums.

1. Can you experience complex trauma without having complex PTSD?

Thanks @Snowie ! I also had advice from one person that complex PTSD was diagnosable in Australia, though I still wasn't sure as it doesn't exist in the DSM-5 yet.

I'm seeing a clinical psychologist tomorrow. When I've seen previous health professionals I sought help for depression or anxiety. I wasn't aware of CPTSD until recently.

I didn't know what complex PTSD was until reading the book The Body Keeps the Score.

I came across it since joining a 12-step called Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunction.

I was in the dark about my own traumas because I was so numb. It was only through regular inner work that I realised things like feelings are named that way because they're things you feel. In that group I Iearned that my feelings are valid. And that I didn't need to numb/dissociate any more.

I don't think its diagnosable, but there's a lot of work to be done in recognising its impact on life.

Hi @enricofatale .

I'm currently reading The Body Keeps the Score.

Thanks for letting me know about Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunction. How effective did you find it?

Numbness and dissociation are good descriptions I what I experience too.

I agree also with your last comment.

Hey @Streetspirit - it changed my life irrevocably for the better.

I'd had 3 months of hospitalisation as a young adult and had largely recovered my mental health and knew how to "stay well" ie. out of hospital

What ACA/ACOA did was help me with my behaviours and how I reacted to life. I'd developed all these coping strategies to deal with childhood trauma that no longer served me as an adult.

I also didn't realise how empty I was feeling spiritually. That program has filled me cup and find comfort in that area without any of the hangups that I had about religion.

@enricofatale I'm so glad to hear the program changed your life for the better, enough to keep you out of hospital.

Thanks for being brave and sharing your personal mental health story and experience with ACA/ACOA!