Some of the emotional and behavioral symptoms of complex PTSD include: But in complex PTSD sufferers, these feelings are evoked by vivid memories or flashbacks to previous trauma and have little to do with any actual real-world threat.Įmotionally, complex PTSD sufferers are often in turmoil, not just when flashbacks are triggered but in general. These are all signs of the flight-or-fight response, as the body mobilizes itself for quick and decisive action in the face or perceived threats. Brain fog, i.e., the inability to think clearly or react quickly.Breathing problems, including hyperventilation.Feelings of dizziness or lightheadedness.When sufferers are exposed to triggering events, environments, individuals, or scenarios, they may experience: The physical symptoms of complex PTSD are typical of anxiety disorders. These symptoms can interfere with work performance, parenting, financial management, relationship maintenance, personal care, and interactions with people in a variety of situations. Their inability to trust is another barrier to relationship success, as are their moodiness and unwillingness to discuss the past.Ĭomplex PTSD produces a range of physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms that impact daily life in numerous ways. Men and women with complex PTSD often search for someone to play the role of their rescuer, or for a father or mother figure who can give them what their abusive parents did not. They may be pessimistic, cynical, and mistrustful to the extreme, to the point where even kindness is viewed with suspicion. People with C-PTSD have little or no faith in the world, in people, in spiritual teachings, and in themselves. They may feel worthless and helpless to overcome their troubles or manage their lives, and their self-esteem may be deeply damaged by their past encounters with extreme abuse. They may be torn by feelings of guilt and shame. C-PTSD sufferers often blame themselves for their suffering. Wounded and dysfunctional self-perception.Experience feelings of dissociation that are more extreme and in some instances can transform into multiple personality disorderĬomplex PTSD includes additional upsetting elements that are not commonly experienced by conventional PTSD sufferers.Exhibit hypervigilant tendencies that are more deeply tinged with fear and paranoia.Have more terrifying nightmares and struggle even more with sleep disturbances.Feel immense panic in anticipation of events that might trigger bad memories.Struggle even more to manage and control their emotions.Experience more frequent, vivid, and frightening flashbacks.Naturally, PTSD can also develop in people who’ve experienced these extreme forms of suffering or deprivation, and in fact about nine-in-10 complex PTSD sufferers also meet the diagnostic criteria for conventional PTSD.īut complex PTSD causes more intense and invasive symptoms, superseding PTSD in its severity. Exposure to torture or captivity by hostile forces.Living and trying to survive in a war zone, or in an area destroyed by natural disaster.Becoming a victim of human trafficking or slavery.

Repeated incidents of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse during childhood.Some risk factors for complex PTSD include: PTSD sufferers fear the events or circumstances that can trigger their symptoms, but fear and anxiety affect people with complex PTSD at a fundamental level, impacting their emotions, self-judgments, and capacity to forge connections with other human beings. More so than PTSD, complex PTSD distorts a person’s perspective on the world and reality. But PTSD is usually a side effect of sudden, shocking, short-term trauma and suffering, while complex PTSD develops as an aftereffect of long-term abuse and victimization, and the feelings of helplessness and rage that accompany it. Both PTSD and complex PTSD are anxiety disorders caused by exposure to severe trauma and/or abuse.

Dsm 5 complex ptsd criteria