Complex PTSD has been attracting increased attention in recent times, and understanding this mental health condition can help us understand the brain and mental health recovery in important ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognised Complex PTSD (or C\u2013PTSD) in it\u2019s 2019 revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD\u201311). C\u2013PTSD is being increasingly recognised by medical professionals as an explanation for chronic and persistent mental health symptoms that can be difficult to treat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Imagine you have been through some really tough stuff in life. Not just one traumatic event, but a series of them. Maybe it was an abusive relationship, a difficult childhood, or even being in a war zone. These experiences leave a deep impact, and that\u2019s where C\u2013PTSD comes into play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Really stressful situations cause reactions in our minds and bodies. Your heart might race, you might feel anxious, or you can\u2019t sleep well. That\u2019s your body\u2019s way of handling stress. But when someone faces ongoing trauma, their stress response system can react in unpredictable and intense ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The onset of C\u2013PTSD symptoms can occur across the lifespan, typically after exposure to chronic, repeated traumatic events and\/or victimisation that have continued for a period of months or years at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Research into trauma has shown the considerable impact of relational experiences in childhood. Experiences such as absent or inconsistent warmth from caregivers, lack of secure and consistent attachment to caregivers, and\/or lack of emotional validation from caregivers can contribute to C\u2013PTSD in later life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Symptoms of C\u2013PTSD are generally more severe and persistent in comparison to PTSD. Exposure to repeated traumas, especially in early development, is associated with a greater risk of developing C\u2013PTSD rather than PTSD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In C\u2013PTSD, people experience not just the usual symptoms of PTSD (like flashbacks, nightmares, and avoiding reminders of the trauma), but also other difficulties. Feelings of intense shame or guilt, having a distorted sense of self, or finding it hard to trust others are very common with C\u2013PTSD. It\u2019s like the emotional world gets all tangled up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the main things about C\u2013PTSD is that it affects how someone sees themselves and others. Sufferers may start feeling like they\u2019re fundamentally broken or unlovable because of what they\u2019ve been through. This negative self\u2013image can impact their relationships, making it hard for them to connect with others in a healthy way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With C\u2013PTSD, the \u2018injury\u2019 is inside the mind, but it is real and deserving of attention and care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, how can people heal from C\u2013PTSD? Well, therapy is a big help. Talking to a therapist, someone trained to unravel those emotional tangles, can make a world of difference. Therapy can come in many forms \u2014 some people find comfort in traditional talk therapy, while others might benefit from things like art therapy, where they can express their feelings through creativity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A particularly effective therapy for C\u2013PTSD is dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), which focuses on building emotion regulation and mindfulness skills in both group and individual therapy sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Supportive relationships are very important too. Having friends, family, or even support groups where people can share their experiences without judgment can be incredibly healing. It\u2019s like having a safety net, knowing there are people who care and understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Self\u2013care also plays a huge role. Healthy habits like regular exercise, eating well, and getting enough sleep can make a surprising difference. It\u2019s like giving the body and mind the strength they need to cope with the challenges that come their way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And let\u2019s not forget about mindfulness and relaxation techniques. Learning to be present in the moment, taking deep breaths, or practicing meditation can help calm the storm inside. It\u2019s all about finding what works best for each individual, because everyone\u2019s journey to healing is different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Healing from C\u2013PTSD isn\u2019t a linear process. It\u2019s more like a roller coaster ride! There might be ups and downs, good days and bad days. But with the right support, patience, and understanding, people can learn to untangle those emotional knots and move towards a healthier, happier life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mental Health Access Line Alex Wilson<\/strong> is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and Director of Mindful Recovery Services and the Central Coast DBT Centre, providing psychological treatment and support for adolescents and adults. Alex is passionate about dispelling myths about mental illness,and is highly skilled in dialectical behavioural therapy. She is an experienced public speaker and provides consultation to other professionals on managing difficult behaviours in teens. Alex lives on the NSW Central Coast with her partner, 2 young boys, 2 goats, a bunch of chickens and a cheeky puppy named Axel.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Complex PTSD has been attracting increased attention in recent times, and understanding this mental health condition can help us understand the brain and mental health recovery in important ways. The…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7339,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sync_status":"","episode_type":"audio","audio_file":"","castos_file_data":"","podmotor_file_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[121],"series":[170],"class_list":["post-7337","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-wellbeing","tag-alexandra-wilson","series-on-the-coast-families"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastfamilies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/01\/portrait-person-suffering-from-depression.jpg","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastfamilies\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"stitcher":{"key":"stitcher","url":"","label":"Stitcher","class":"stitcher","icon":"stitcher.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastfamilies\/feed\/podcast\/on-the-coast-families","embedCode":"
(Central Coast): 1800 011 511
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Mindful Recovery Services:
www.mindfulrecovery.com.au<\/a> or (02) 4660 0100<\/p>\n\n\n\nA Guide to Understanding and Healing from Complex PTSD<\/a><\/blockquote>