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Can anyone tell me the correct term for PTSD that isn't misguided but is an active villain to its suffers?

ForUs88Senior Contributor03 Aug 2025, 6:49 am AEST

Can anyone tell me the correct term for PTSD that isn't misguided but is an active villain to its suffers?

I have complex PTSD and have done so since I was five and that's over three decades ago. However recently it seems like the clinical diagnosis of Complex PTSD isn't what it's been for me all along as if the understanding of it has changed.

What is the correct term (that doesn't make people think I'm a danger to others because I'm not) that explains your own PTSD voice trying to end you particularly during episodes where your PTSD voice isn't just a misguided protector but actively tries to finish what those who harmed you tried to do.

Someone suggested it's Predatory Complex PTSD but then someone else suggested how that sounds like I'm harmful to others. I am just trying to get my condition understood so I get the right help.

Anyone know the correct term? Anyone suffer this extensive trauma ? I am growing in my sense of isolation the more I research modern takes on the condition.

3 replies

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In response to: Can anyone tell me the correct term for PTSD that isn't misguided but is an active villain to its suffers?

DogMan79Senior Contributor03 Aug 2025, 8:52 am AEST

Re: Can anyone tell me the correct term for PTSD that isn't misguided but is an active villain to its suffers?

Complex PTSD was added to the ICD11 in 2018. Prior to this it wasn't recognised. If you mean prior to this then the clinician diagnosing it might have just been attaching a description (Complex) to the existing at the time diagnosis

CPTSD has 4 additional diagnostic criteria compared to PTSD

You might be able to conceptualize and label your experience through an approach like I.F.S Internal Family Systems therapy

In response to: Can anyone tell me the correct term for PTSD that isn't misguided but is an active villain to its suffers?

MedicinalGypsySenior Contributor04 Aug 2025, 10:27 pm AEST

Re: Can anyone tell me the correct term for PTSD that isn't misguided but is an active villain to its suffers?

I've cptsd diagnosis was in 2020 childhood trauma for me and I have ongoing grieving of parental alienation generational trauma my mother recently diagnosed with cptsd 2 years ago its complex i have learned through experience that trauma trained and experienced somatic nervous system once I knew now have better understanding of me and understanding knowledge is power i was wrongly diagnosed for 30 years told I had bipolar 1 disorder nature grounding gratitude journalling connection with others who have same diagnosis has helped me
One day at a time be gentle on you ✨️

In response to: Re: Can anyone tell me the correct term for PTSD that isn't misguided but is an active villain to its suffers?

ForUs88Senior Contributor21 Aug 2025, 11:05 am AEST

Re: Can anyone tell me the correct term for PTSD that isn't misguided but is an active villain to its suffers?

Yes, oddly enough c-PTSD can be viewed as other conditions, leaving to many misdiagnoses and inaccurate assumptions of the condition, the longer the trauma the more messy it is viewed by others even doctors. Some, like myself, become alienated from everything because of people thinking c-PTSD means something it isn't. That's why I asked my question to find what is the best term to actually be understood. I am tired of trying to cope with long standing c-PTSD AND now have to haggle with social idiocies over it as well - especially from so called professionals.

I'm sorry you got misdiagnosed. I know how messed up that is to go through. I hope you get better resources to help you.

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