**Trigger warning** What are your experiences with a Complex PTSD diagnosis and treatment?

@Former-Member

Try both.Do some research but also write. Being able to get out what is in your head and seeing it physically in front of you can sometimes help to better understand yourself. Doesn't need to be a prize winning piece of literature - just write (or type). Then if you feel like sharing anything that you have written it's physically there and not just rolling around in your head. Writing can also help some people organise their thoughts as can physically move them around on paper to try and make connections and sense of it all. Goodluck. Keep me posted (no pun intended). x

Hi @BlueBay

simplistically, Complex PTSD manifests in the sufferer as all the symptoms of PTSD, but the cause might be the result of earlier trauma (not necessarily sexual, and not necessarily childhood). It is trauma piled on trauma.

Anyone please correct me if you feel I am wrong.

As to diagnosis, the DSM and all that. Mainstream Australian shrinks are only just catching on that PTSD can be the result of psychological, emotional or other abuse. They are caught up in wanting a physical manifestation of a single life-threatening event like an explosion or a plane crash. So they will look for other labels to give someone who has all the trauma symptoms of PTSD. Unable to acknowledge that things like prolonged psychological manipulation, betrayal or sudden abandonment might FEEL life threatening for a sufferer and give cause for the reptilian nervous system (fight, freeze, fly response) to take over and run the show. That is my experience anyway

. As the victim of all the above abuse from my most intimate other, I have struggled with managing my symptoms of PTSD and finding treatment for the past three years. I have found understanding and resources for this 'relational PTSD' from US psychologists and lawyers, where it is acknowledged that sustained covert abuse can cause PTSD. the reason why my PTSD is 'Complex' is that a similar abuse happened in my childhood from a different intimate other with a similar personality disorder (Cluster B personality - extreme narcissist, sociopath or psychopath). So my flashbacks, persistent 'trauma vortex' thoughts, nightmares and anxiety stem from memories of different traumas.

Struggling at Xmas (aren't we all?) and very grateful for this debate platform. Thank you all.

Hi @Former-Member

references and resouces are allowed and encouraged (as you said trigger warnings are often appropriate) the only issue is when the links allow comments which if people were to use them will remove the anonymity of these forum, anonymity allowing the level of sharing and disclosure that we have

thank you for considering it 🙂

May I add what I have found helpful, in case it is helpful to anyone else ? My symptoms have gone from 9/10 to mostly around 3/10 on a daily basis, with the odd triggering back up to 8/10. I talk too much so will try bullet points.

from the sudden trauma moment:

gave up alcohol to keep a clear head (best thing I ever did!)

found an explanation of my abuser's (all of them) personality disorders via Google search - a repeating personal pattern of placing these types at the centre of my life for some reason

went to GP for anxiety meds to get to sleep at last

one disastrous psychologist after another who each had a different diagnosis and made me feel worse by making me 'explain'' my complicated story. Had first panic attacks as a result. Decided I had to go it alone.

found my symptoms perfectly described via Google search - same as PTSD symptoms exactly

investigated Buddhism as needed to 'detach' and had heard they knew a bit about that!

started daily meditation and mindfulness practice. It was Hell but so was not meditating, so I stuck at it and found it could reduce my anxiety once I found a way to disengage from 'the story' . Requires discipline and courage I didn't believe I had but the doing of it makes those things grow. Along with compassion for oneself.

researched PTSD and effective treatment methods - found EMDR, Hakomi, Mindfulness based therapies (inc CBT) and somatic therapies got good feedback from survivors

Found a Hakomi therapist who was also a Buddhist teacher and began to deal not with the story, but with managing the symptoms - rage and anger being the most uncomfortable for me, plus the shame of being so angry and having mental illness instead of being able to be 'stoic' and 'get over it' in the first place

simplified life and daily routine, dumped toxic friends (as politely as I could), avoided toxic or triggering situations, atoned (apologised) for past wrongs I believed I had done others - cleared out my junk as much as possible. New friends and opportunities slowly started to fill the gaps.

two years later:

had lost what felt like everything (marriage, home, life savings, business, other job, family, a number of friends, faith in God, reputation in small country town) via divorce process with a pathological liar, manipulator and his ongoing smear campaign after he'd left, so began to concentrate on rectification of the basics - shelter, food etc - to begin restoration

through experimentation & research have developed a 'toolkit' of things that work to ease each singular symptom. Antidotes if you like. Something for nightmares, something for extreme anxiety, something for intrusive memories, wishing for revenge etc.

3 years:

Worst thing for me now at Xmas is fear that I will never fully recover and that the people who have stuck by me will lose their tolerance for having a nutcase in their midst!

i still managed to rave on. Would love to know what is working for other people. Hope this post didn't harm anyone. May we all find moments of peace this next few days.

@Zoe7

Your description of complex PTSD seemed like a very good one to me.

As far as I know it's not formally included in that DSM thing yet - but it's being increasingly recognised & diagnosed by psychologists, at least by those who are specialised in trauma.

I was first diagnosed with PTSD, then complex PTSD about 7 years ago (by a psychologist) - even though I had several years of therapy before that. In fact, I first went to a psychologist (for several years) 22 years ago.

In my case the on-going traumas continued for over 20 years, my entire childhood & early adulthood (virtually).

My family environment (& on-going experiences) included severe neglect, which is definitely traumatic - although many people do not realise that neglect is a cause of trauma. Psychological & emotional abuse, physical abuse, & sexual abuse by a relative.

The disclosure of my sexual abuse for the first time (6 years ago), 35 years after it happened - caused me a huge upheaval, & left me with many on-going issues to deal with. I had never forgotten it, it's just that I had never told anyone.

Although my psychologist reminds me that the effects of my long-term neglect & emotional & physical abuse are perhaps greater than my SA (or at least as traumatic) - because they continued for far longer.

As for treatment for complex PTSD, it's hard to find a therapy technique (or approach) that is effective. At least it takes a lot of patience, & perhaps a long time.

I often become frustrated with my (supposed) lack of progress - but that's my own self-judgement, not my psychologist's opinion.

She reminds me that I have in fact made a great amount of progress in therapy, it's just that I don't always see it myself.

Therapy for complex trauma (complex PTSD) can be a journey of 13 years or more (on average), my psychologist tells me.

I believe her - as I say I first saw a psychologist (started) 22 years ago for several years, then had a 10 year break (without). Then I've been back in therapy (seeing a psychologist) for 7 & 1/2 years, up until now.

Adge

@Adge I have had to stop therapy (with my psychologist) for the moment as the sessions were becoming too distressing for me. My GP has seen me after the last couple of sessions and was very concerned about how I was 'coping' with them. I was basically being re-traumatised again and she (and I) had real concerns for my 'safety' moving forward.

I have written a lot of 'my story' on another thread - I can tag you into that one if you request - so I am not going to write any of that again here.

I am pleased to see that you are starting to find your way around the forum. I have been off for a few days - trying to deal with my 'issues' a bit!!! and haven't repliedto any posts.

I have a thread called 'Am Not Coping' - which at times is more of a social thread - but is also where anyone is welcome for a chat or support. I will tag you in there so you can visit us anytime - for a chat, a catchup or for support.

If I haven't already said it - welcome to the forum

Hope to chat soon

Zoe

@Zoe7

Thanks, yes I would like to read your story, if you can tag me in.

I'm happy to join the Am Not Coping thread.

I'm sorry to hear that your therapy sessions were becoming re-traumatising. I've had that happen to me too.

The way in which I was virtually forced to disclose my SA, which insistent leading questions (by a therapist) was re-traumatising, & had long-term effects (which I was not ready for).

Currently few trauma issues come up for me in therapy - my memories etc still seem to be largely blocked, or not available to me.

Most of my sessions are spent on daily coping issues, & dealing with triggers, etc - although I really want & need to do a lot more trauma work, when I can.

Thanks for your warm welcome,

Adge