Complex PTSD Explained

Complex PTSD, or CPTSD, shares many similarities with PTSD - but where does it diverge and what exactly is it?

Our expert explains everything you need to know about CPTSD is, such as the symptoms, causes, coping strategies, and treatments for complex PTSD.

Skip to 👇
00:00 Intro
00:27 What is Complex PTSD? PTSD vs CPTSD
01:04 What causes Complex PTSD
01:50 Symptoms of Complex PTSD
03:50 Coping strategies for Complex PTSD
05:21 Maladaptive coping strategies
07:19 Treatment for Complex PTSD
09:46 Avoidance: Should I expose myself to trauma?

SUPPORT FOR CPTSD WITH PRIORY:

#complexptsd #cptsdawareness #complexptsdrecovery

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Priory's expert in this video is Victoria Chamorro, consultant psychiatrist at the Priory Hospital Roehampton:

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This video is designed to be informational, but its content is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you or a loved one are experiencing difficulties with your mental health, please contact a medical professional or a licensed mental health provider for tailored advice for you.

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Priory is the leading independent provider of mental healthcare and adult social care in the UK. We have two divisions, which together support the needs of over 35,000 people every year. We currently treat more than 70 different conditions through a nationwide network of over 300 facilities.

Our purpose is to empower each person in our care to take steps towards a healthy future and live their lives as positively and independently as possible.

For more information on how Priory can help you, head to our website or call us:
0800 840 3219

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Watch more explainers from Priory's mental health experts 💙

[Flowerpot]

I grew up with an absent mother and alcoholic father. I never realised how it affected me. I grew up thinking I was different to everyone. I had no friends, made bad decisions. As an adult I had a full on traumatic experience, a brain tumour nearly killed me and left me blind and disabled. My sight partially returned after a few months.
When I started showing symptoms of PTSD my neuro psychologist worked with me and discovered I also had CPTSD. Once I knew this and the symptoms I realised thats why I've always felt different.
I have a long road ahead of me to get past it all but I so need to do it. I want to feel at peace.

[nagachoegyal]

Yes!
My personal CPTSD kicked in at my prolonged birthing, if not beforehand in gestation.
From there it snowballed, from one trauma to another...eventually crystallising as a suicidal substance abuser.
Way back when, I always did have a 'religious consciousness' in spite of all that and eventually put my foot on the path of healing by adressing the inner pain and disquiet...and expressing my deeply felt rage as sorrowful tears.
A painful path, by definition.
To anybody with whom this resonates, be brave, healing is possible. No matter how bad you are, I was the worst and I know that through dedicated study and prayer, even the worst potentiality can be resolved and the person can be healed.
Nevertheless it must not be forgotten that the true healing energy comes from within and we can rely on outside agencies only to instruct and guide us on what may be a turbulent journey against the wind of societal convention and expectations.

[catw]

I have cptsd and personally I've found both cbt therapy and Buddhism very helpful with building better emotional regulation and interpersonal skills as an adult. They are both very practical.

[katherinel]

I think there was some info missed here - emotional flashbacks and dissociative symptoms are prevalent in people with CPTSD. 😐😢

[JELamp]

This is the most accurate and concise description of C-PTSD that I have found on YT, it also provides usable strategies for coping and realistic approaches for treatment. Thank you for posting.

[rosivo]

i hope to find a good therapist in the states who can find the techniques and the pace that works for me. very tired over here

[tracyjefferies]

I believe i have CPTSD, this is long winded but please stay with the story. On 28/3/24 i was a victim of road rage and was already suffering PTSD at the hands of the Police from 20 years ago, i didnt want to call them but the other driver and his partner kept coming up to my vehicle which was damaged banging on the windscreen and drivers door window. He was driving dangerously from the moment he joined the carriage way in front of me, doing an emergency stop for no reason and when he got to a roundabout sat there holding traffic up so i honked him, prior to this he was arguing with his family in the car and physically took his eyes off the road facing me behind him at this point i felt i needed to be cautious. Once i got on a stretch of road to over take i did so, it was at this point he rammed me trying to force into oncoming traffic. There was no safe place to stop so i kept driving, he undertook me swerved in front of me and refused to move blocking all traffic on our side if the carriage way.
I am a 55 year disabled lady and felt i was being treated as the instigator by the Police, i decided to leave my driving licence with them and drove off for which they sped after me tried smashing my drivers window 3 times, they arrested me then de-arrested me and decided to fine me even though my vehicle is a motability car so is fully insured, taxed, Mot so had nothing to hide.
Since this i threatened to take my life and had my front door smashed and was hit by 2 taser guns one to my right side the second in my left breast above my heart. Since this i have spent a week sleeping in my car as i couldn’t face going to the property and overdosed twice one which should of been fatal and may still be in the next 2 months.
But this is our legal justice system here in the UK and is deemed acceptable behaviour, at no point did i pose a danger to anyone but myself which is why i believe i now have CPTSD, i literally don’t feel safe anywhere anymore inside or out of my home even by the Police.

[andrewrees]

My G.F pushed me in the chest a few weeks ago, I went into complete mekt down, told her to go away, I became emotionally distraut, crying, lots of symptoms, was basically in bits, never experienced anything like that before,
Was that a panic attack ?

[SuLawn]

I have cptsd and did. Can't get help anywhere.

[alvideor]

Who is the "we"? This speaker is knowledgeable, but she clearly has the "institutional" and "expert" mindset oozing out of her. Referring to her clients as "patients" that she treats in order to "cure" them doesn't demonstrate a lot of empathy. I have doubts if she has a lived understanding of CPTSD. This sounds more like the textbook and protocol rote learning you get with so many of today's "experts" in the mental health field.