Complex PTSD in 5 Minutes

Complex PTSD is, well, complex. Let's see if we can simplify it a bit, and explain things in just 5 minutes.

Everyone's experience of something is going to be different, and there are plenty of symptoms I included here that may not describe your experience. You may also experience symptoms I haven't included, or experience some of the Complex PTSD symptoms as a part of conventional PTSD.

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[margaretcorfield]

The biggest difference between PTSD and CPTSD are that in PTSD the triggers are specific to the trauma. In CPTSD, the triggers are present in everyday life. Every person constitutes a potential threat, every incident carries trigger factors. There's no way out.

[maggieo]

One major symptom I experience with my CPTSD is the fear that I'm just inherently different from everyone else, that my brain's just broken and no one else could possibly understand me or what I went through. At least that's a symptom I've read before about the diagnosis that I relate to.

[sunshinej]

Having PTSD is like being a prisoner in your own mind where you are at war with yourself and have to fight everyday battles on how your mind thinks. It SUCKS

[HDxEXoThERMiA]

I like this guy. He feels safe and non-threatening.

[SpidersHandle]

I have CPTSD. It's no fun. My biggest anger is that I haven't been able to lead a normal life. I'm now 60 and have no family (they all abused me) and no friends nor a loved one. At this age, it is harder to enjoy the solitary life that I have clung to since declaring my independence from the ones who did this to me. I wish I was able to have had a wife and kids. But because of the abused I experienced for 16 years or so, I am unable to be intimate with women. It makes me feel dirty and gross and that is not conducive to a loving relationship with children being produced. So, I have remained alone and secluded my entire life. If you think it's sad, you're right. So, next time you meet an adult who is a reasonably good person but acts a little weird - give them a break - you don't know what they've lived and have to cope with every single day. Be kind.
If you think something is up with a child's home life, say something.

[sav]

Jeez, yes to all 8 questions. No wonder even just existing is so painful. I’ve tried so many things to heal but progress is painfully slow and everything feels so hopeless sometimes. I hope whoever’s reading this finds the peace and healing they deserve <3

[christopherleubner]

PTSD is from extreme shock, Cptsd is the result of being shocked and then tortured by repeated trauma from which there is ko escape.😢 💔 💩💀

[pamelapalmer]

I was diagnosed with CPTSD about 7 years ago. You did a great job explaining it. I wish more people understood it so I think it's a great contribution to society that you spoke on this subject. Thank you

[hissyfitz]

Been there, done that… still dealing with it @ 70 years old facing fear of similar vulnerabilities with impending old age.

[DonnHowes]

I was diagnosed with cptsd since my teenage, spent my whole life fighting cptsd. I suffered severe depression and mental disorder. Not until my wife recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 8 years totally clean. Never thought I would be saying this about mushrooms.

[GodHelpMe]

If you're avoidant, you most likely have said to family members who had a major role in your childhood: "You only accepted me or liked me when I was happy/obedient/emotionless." This one simple statement fits with ALL the core symptoms of avoidant attachment:

1. Being overly self-reliant
(and in doing so, you hide your needs, emotions, problems, and acute illnesses)

2. Pushing down anger until it explodes
and manufactures the boundaries you crave but can't always ask for

3. Not wanting to burden others with your problems

4. Wanting to fix your own issues to avoid looking incompetent or even getting bullied and teased

5. Numbing out emotions with self-soothing behaviors
that are either totally unhealthy or pseudo-healthy
(like getting addicted to working out and healthy eating)

[EvanBateman]

I was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder but developmental trauma and c-ptsd were looked into beforehand. The trauma beforehand made it difficult for the diagnosis to be made because there is a lot of overlap and presented in a way that made a lot of psychologists believe i was just traumatised but eventually due to the fact BPD is a diagnosis of exclusion, was able to be diagnosed after a lot of evaluation. I feel for those who struggle with c-ptsd and ptsd, it is not a fun condition and I understand the effects of trauma, despite having a different diagnosis. This video was very informative, thank you!

[Yvette_Wilson]

Yesterday, for the first time in my 36 years of living on this planet, I went to see a Clinical Psychologist because the pain in my mind and body are unbearable. I finally gave up and asked for help, the psychologist told me I've been suffering from PTSD and the roots go back as old as my childhood (I chose not to mention the "events of trauma" here). Next week I'm going to have some screenings, Psychopathy test and whatnot to determine the severity of my PTSD and to provide ways to get me to mental recovery. I just found out that asking for help is not a weakness, asking for help is also you being strong and brave. I love you all..

[divinely_designed_living]

So glad someone connected cptsd with something other than childhood trauma. Some of us developed it from being with a narcissist

[cellmate]

I was told by my therapist to watch informational videos about CPTSD following my diagnosis, and so far your video of one of the most comprehensive with information in such a short time

[Hison-Dcarman]

I could remember several years ago, I suffered severe depression and mental disorder. Was actually diagnosed with CPTSD. Not until my wife recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 8 years totally clean. Never thought I would be saying this about mushrooms.

[WTMI]

As someone who has been formerly diagnosed with CPTSD, I can say you've done a pretty good job of summarizing an incredibly complicated state of being.

[Ydce]

Thank you for your compassion. I was diagnosed a few years ago after extensive testing with a neuropsychologist. It’s incredibly challenging, so much of who I am is coping mechanisms. I’ve been working so hard to dismantle these coping mechanisms but I feel kind of lost and empty as if I’ve lost who I was.

[michaelgarrow]

I was just getting past childhood trauma. Then domestic violence put me back into the mind of a 12yo. Had a psychotic break with reality. Lost millions. FTW

[MacyPooh]

I was officially diagnosed with CPTSD a few days ago and I can’t actually escape my trigger because I’m in college and the trigger is a classroom and a person associated with it. It’s been difficult to try to deal with it but I just want to try.