It is good to know that CPTSD is now more recognised. I didn't know I had it until last year and am now 72. I was abused at the age of 5 and it was hidden in my memory for decades until I completed a two year HNC course on Counselling. This raised many issues for me and in particular, delayed grief. Abuse was something I continued to experience throughout my life and am only now sorting myself out. I have now forgiven my abusers but will never forget. My future is brighter than ever before
Having both a case of cptsd and a master in clinical psychology (but I'm not professionally working in the field), a few things come to my mind when watching video's like these. E.g. re-experiencing the trauma. A single event trauma can be characterized as a photo, whereas cptsd can be better described as a movie. This makes re-experiencing a bit difficult. Unless of course there are some typical traumatic peaks. It usually involves a feeling of mightlessness over a longer period of time. I had it twice (primary school was 5 years of being picked on and getting beaten up), and much later, in my 40's it was a 7 year period of being degraded both at home and at work. I figured I had created my own coping mechanisms, which I better call "survival techniques". But they all were insufficient. Now a psychologist won't diagnose me with PTSD cause I have no flashbacks or nightmares or whatever anymore. My trauma has found a new home in my back and chest muscles, causing me pain and respiration problems. The pain often appears in my chest, which gives me panic attacks (cos I fear for a heart attack). In short, I think that "re-experiencing" as a symptom for cptsd should be reconsidered. There may be more beneath the surface.
@@acaciaknight8341 I was actually referring to the situation where you have had no help and in time you created your own (not-working) ways of dealing with the re-experiecing. In my situation I was able to reduce the flashbacks and nightmares to almost zero. But in the end they were only replaced by other "physical" symptoms, like very extreme chest, neck and upper-backpains (musculus trapezuis). So bad I can barely do my housekeeping, had to give up playing guitar (my main hobby) and can't do a normal dayjob anymore. The pain also interferes with my breathing and energy-levels. But now the psychologists I have seen tell me I have no CPTSD, because I am not re-experiencing things anymore. I got different diagnoses over the years, but never CPTSD. Eventho the causes were clear; there were just too many of them (being picked on and beaten up for 5 years in primary school, surviving a period of 7 years in which I was constantly being degraded both at work and at home, and finally being victim to an extortion and being threathened to be killed (followed by 10 years of bailiffs trying to force the last bit food out of my mouth)). It's mainly my chiropractor who says that these pains in the upper-back and shoulder are very often caused by trauma. I believe she is right. I wouldn't care if I was the only one on the planet. But I am fairly sure many people are mis-diagnosed because of the blindspot in the DSM. I think it's like when you break your leg and you can't go to the hospital. The fracture will eventually heal, but not correctly and you will walk with a limp forever.
@@herryhubert2338 Ya I focused in on part of it and I guess trailed off in my brain. It happens to me a lot...horrible horrible memory issues. I have the symptoms too that are similar to chronic fatigue syndrome though maybe not as immobile. people with a higher level of PTSD imo CPTSD develop debilitating adrenal fatigue which appears I believe as CFS. I have a lot of pain and have been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis and Fibromyalgia. Through years of pain medications that seemed not to work well for my body. I haven't worked in over 20 years. I am extremely isolated and my brain feels like its working harder to remember the simplest things. I developed breathing issues about 10 or so years ago they said it was "Allergic Asthma" and I tried different inhalers and allergy injections without much relief. I use cough drops all the time to feel like my airway is open enough to breathe. I basicly diagnosed myself initially with PTSD and a couple years later added the Complex part even though CPTSD its not yet accepted by the DSM. I too have been dx with all kinds of things over the years. I can't speak for everyone, but I'm certain that some of my aches and pains are due to clenching my jaw and my body stiffening up making my muscles constantly ache. I have ridiculous racing thoughts that give me intense anxiety. The craziest things can trigger me and they don't have to in anyway that I am aware of be related. Like, My nightmares vary, but are more of the crazy trying to escape types that feel so real. I don't have many nightmares that are a re-experiencing the traumas type. Maybe because the brain has been so damaged and you cant separate the traumas and thats why the nightmares are so weird idk. I do have flashbacks a lot still and some of them I know exactly what they are from while others are really more confusing. And yknow flashbacks are never convenient and you wind up asking people repeatedly what they just said or trying to piece it together based on what your brain did register. Its exhausting and frustrating to not be able to get through to my Dr how debilitating it is. Just one of the major symptoms could debilitate a person...but with CPTSD you have multiple symptoms that alone would debilitate a person and its that much more intense. My anxiety is constant and my panic attacks are frequent. I have had several people over the years that have told me that the body remembers the pain. I had so many traumas over a long period of time that I don't know which pain is from what thing either most of the time, because most of the traumas have no dates that I remember because there were so many. I know my brain and overall emotional & mental health were stunted by the traumas so much so that while I am an adult and can somewhat function as an adult...I am stuck in several places...I don't think its DID necessarily, but it is closely related.
You have to have the PTSD core Symptoms to have a CPTSD diagnosis but you can stilll work on the issues you do have in therapy,diagnoses are just man made criteria.
Psychedelic saved me from years of uncontrollable depression, anxiety and illicit pill addiction. Imagine carrying heavy chains for over a decade and then all of a sudden that burden is gone. Believe it or not in a couple years they'll be all over for treatment of mental health related issues
I CANNOT STRESS enough how clearly this is explained here. To be up to date with discerning the differences in these issues, you can't go past this video and it's content!
Actually, there's some misinformation here. Cptsd does have lack of identity, just like BPD, and there's also high suicidality. They thought I had BPD for about a year or so, but the diagnosis changed to cptsd upon my therapist getting to know me through the therapy relationship. I was sure it was BPD for the reasons that the video states here, but I had to be corrected by my therapist. Identity issues most certainly exist in cptsd, as well as self harm and suicide. There's a reason they call us chameleons. I've experienced all three and had to be convinced by a medical professional that it wasn't BPD, but in fact complex ptsd that caused it.
I think it is really wrong that CPTSD is not included in the DSM. How could being abused as a child for years and years not be different from having something bad happen as an adult?
Its not in the books because the white coats are gaslighting and scapegoating us with other diagnosis so that they can throw more chemichal drugs at, and make kickbacks from big pharma. And treat longer.
I absolutely agree. I am a textbook case. I got my diagnosis at 69. I am making incredible leaps of understanding with a great therapist. I went originally for breast cancer counselling so this diagnosis was both a blessing and the hardest thing I have ever done.
I have complex-ptsd, severe major depression, anxiety and ocd. When you've gotten abused almost your whole life like I've been through and eye witnessed horrible and terrible things. It scars you for life. It destroys you mentally, emotionally and physically. Complex ptsd isn't fun at all. It's not a laughing matter or funny at all. I have come to my own realization about myself is that I'm broken and can't be fixed because I went through too many years of horrible, terrible things happening to me or happening around me. Some people just aren't fixable and I'm one of those people. Broken.
Look up ☝️☝️that handle, he’s got the best tips and helps. I’ve microdosed shrooms for about 6 months now and it has really helped my CPTSD, anxiety and depression and I’ll recommend it for anyone🙏
Yknow I have heard that a lot from people I've encountered online with CPTSD...they believe that there is no fixing it and feel broken. Maybe that should be part of the criteria as well. There may even be a secondary diagnosis to the CPTSD with OCD as I have met quite a few as well that have OCD. Its exhausting I get it I really do.
I found taking mushrooms to be a horrible experience. Microdosing or otherwise, so take everything with a grain of salt from what 2-3 people say on the internet. Signed: another traumatic broken c-ptsd person.
"Normal PTSD" include all three of the items you list as additional for cPTSD. When you think about it, it makes sense that abuse during the developmental stages will result in PTSD type sxs, and also sxs of BPD (lack of self worth, fears of adandonment, etc). cPTSD appears to be a subtype of PTSD, and should be added to the next edition of the DSM in my opinion.
I survived childhood SA from about the age of 6 to 15. My first real relationship was abusive for 6 years. I never realized i was very different until 2017 and stumbled across articles about ptsd and cptsd. I have never been able to afford to see anyone for a diagnosis, but I can see the flashing lights clearly now. Avoidance has always been my go to, I'm 35 unboxing 20 year old trauma 😐
I have CPTSD and I can say that the relationships are not a black and white symptom. For example many people that have suffered childhood abuse go onto be in abusive relationships whether its verbally, emotionally, mentally, financially, physically or sexually. Because of that factor they'll have a higher likelihood of getting into abusive relationships even though thats not at all what they want. Some people will have had some stabilizing moments that allowed them to build better relationships, but they'll still struggle with building and maintaining those relationships most commonly. So because that symptom itself is so varying it shouldn't be part of the main criteria but as a symptom that can coexist. I had an extremely abusive childhood in more ways than one and I think you have to look at the levels of Dissociation and Anxiety for the largest key differences as well as the other symptoms levels. I read somewhere that they found that the Hippocampus physically shrinks with high levels of stress possibly induced by trauma. If that is the case it would seem its more a traumatic brain injury of sorts.
I think we end up a lot in the wrong relationships because we can’t regulate our emotions well, see red flags well and unknowingly search for a reason to be on hyper alert. My ex psychiatrist told me this once as I was misdiagnosed with bpd first and he did see that I wasn’t causing the problems with this kind of situations and I just got in a lot of miserable situations also, because I didn’t really see how dangerous something could turn out while another one would state obvious. That psychiatrist was the first one explaining me that he believed in complex ptsd and it really changes the brain!
@@xxLoveeeit Yes and I can say for me its like I can go from 'my norm' to a very high level emotion very quickly. Like starting off at your most painful memories kind of emotions that only builds with each emotional thing in life and that is I do agree a very real part of it.
CPTSD is different from PTSD because the mistreatment/abuse by parents or other caregivers is ongoing throughout childhood-and even continues into adulthood. BPD is NOT part of most ppl’s CPTSD issues. ADULT CAREGIVERS ARE TO BLAME. Developmental trauma affects many facets of victims’ lives. Narcissistic parents or caregivers, (or those parents with other extreme psychological issues) is the cause. Kids need to feel safe, cared for, loved, and need to be allowed to be kids, instead of being seen as ‘mini-adults’ who should know everything & never make mistakes. In this situation, kids are supposed to parent their parents sometimes & to “just know what to do” without help. Kids in this situation are often not allowed to find out who they are. Many developmental stages are also missed that are part of a normal childhood. So many ppl are now affected by CPTSD. The DSM-5 is wildly out of contact with reality by not listening to professionals who do try to treat patients with CPTSD, and by not actually talking to a variety of ppl affected. So many people are so glad to finally know why & what caused their difficulties. Having a diagnosis (whether in the ‘hallowed DSM-5’ or NOT), is helpful to so many ppl who suffer.
Thank you for this video. I have a dx of CPTSD, MDD, GA.OCD. I am a stable Anorexic with a history of Bulimia. I am grateful for Anti-depressant mediations - I take and SSRI and an NSRI. I've have 6 full years of CBT. I now touch base with a therapist. I often need to get a reality check. I tend to be hard on myself. I am very grateful for the help and knowledge I have been given. To see me in the street, you'd think I was just the average person, and I am happy about this. No-one has to know I am juggling some of the other stuff. I hope more people can get treatment and go on to enjoy their lives. I am glad to know that my condition is now known and recognized; moreover, is treatable.
I have PTSD, BPD, Somatoform Disorders and Eating Disorder and Chronic Depressive Disorder/Major Depression...the more I learn about C-PTSD, the more I think this is the right diagnosis, especially since I had prolonged developmental trauma/interpersonal trauma instead of one specific adult trauma. Here is a new clinic specializing in C-PTSD, I am on their list, hope I can finally find the right treatment as DBT didn't help/was even harmful in certain ways, and nor did CBT, only gave me the rational knowledge but no lasting solutions. I put much hope into DBT-PTSD!
Look up ☝️☝️that handle, he’s got the best tips and helps. I’ve microdosed shrooms for about 6 months now and it has really helped my CPTSD, anxiety and depression and I’ll recommend it for anyone🙏
I haven't been diagnosed with AID or Somatoform, but have those tendencies. Not so much like a hypochondriac... its more about the fear of everything and so when something happens with your body or your symptoms seem to be related to something you've heard then you relate it to that extreme which brings us full circle back to anxiety/panic as a lead symptom.
I was diagnosed with BPD and CPTSD. I avoid romantic relationships and the very rare times I want to be with someone they're always emotionally unavailable. I think I'm drawn to people I can't be with. Through therapy I learnt that I don't really fit the BPD bill, but perhaps I learnt BPD behaviours from my undiagnosed parent (who I no longer speak to, but I really hope they get help). Alone is safe, but lonely. I think that should be the motto of the day for all you lovely people xx
We share the same dilemma. Only difference is I desperately looked for a relationship. I didn't give up. Therapists say I do not fit BPD. But I don't fit one of the most important characteristics of CPTSD: isolating. So what is wrong with me? Another point you made: we learn our ways of relating to the world from our parents. My problem is not that I disagree. I simply have a very difficult understanding what difference that makes. If we present with the same behaviors, we have the problem. We have to own our behaviors. Is it like the old saying, "if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it must be a duck"? Or am I not able to understand the complexity of these things? Want to add that I am still desperately lonely.
@@nancybartley4610 Hey Nancy, sorry to hear you're struggling too! I struggle with managing my emotions. I react the same way my parent does. However, the defining difference is, is that I am aware of my maladaptive behaviours. I've worked hard (still working) to learn how to control myself. Whereas, my parent sees nothing wrong. They don't understand they have a problem. They think the world is bullying them and they are always the victim. It's not their fault. I just don't think they have the capacity to see how hurtful they can be. I hope you find a therapist that you resonate with and someone who can give you the tools to overcome your issues xx
Thanks, Em. It is interesting, isn't it, how some people refuse to accept any personal responsibility. I wonder why? I got the impression from my mom that shame was the reason. Best to you.
I bought your books both for psych and Neuro. It's amazing during my residency. For real I remember different things due to the visuals. Thank you so much. You're a real bro
I believe I have CPTSD, but when it comes to the avoiding relationships part, I Always find myself in one, and the biggest role I play in most my relationships, romantic or not, Is almost always people pleasing, to an unhealthy extent. It’s also known as fawning for those of you that are familiar with the term. My relationships may “feel” stable but it may be because I’m the only one holding it up. I will go out of my way, sacrificing my time, energy, money, emotional stability, for people in my life and am mostly met with much less in return. It wasn’t until recently that I realized I was doing this and I didn’t cut people out per se, but as soon as I stopped making an effort, people stopped coming around as much, and that tells me pretty much what I need to know…
Yeah... i know how you feel. It gets to a critical point where I either self sabotage so much that others can't help but notice, or I rage out and let out all of my anger and resentment in one NASTY outburst. The latter is surprisingly less damaging and definitely feels a lot better, but self-destruction seems to be my typical way of coping. I just got a CPTSD diagnosis, and I am relieved to be able to understand these aspects of my behavior that I for years I could not seem to comprehend, much less control...
As a sufferer from CPTSD I can say (for myself at least) that CBT, forgive my language doesn't do Jack-$#!t for me. Been to at least a handful of therapists and it just never helped. On the contrary I more often than not felt even worse after a session until I finally stopped going. Meds on the other hand at least help calm my anxiety and also lift my mood a bit. However, everyone is different I suppose? Other than that a really brilliant video. Thanks for spreading the awareness.
That’s most people’s experience! CBT is glorified victim blaming. It’s because trauma is stored in the body and changing our thinking (CBT) does nothing. But a body based therapy (EMDR, somatic experiencing etc) can help so much more!
In my experience it was helpful in the way that I received it. Which was in a small group setting of others with similar traumas as me and delivered as a intensive 3 week healing group. I did try their exercises and it did help in part...releasing some of the trauma issues and the reiteration of all the positive affirmations to tell yourself as a means to retrain the brain. I think the most important element to success in anything will be the way its delivered and the way the person is treated during any of the therapy sessions. Victim blaming/shaming is very prevalent in our society as well so making sure without a doubt you aren't being judged for what happened to you is a huge thing and that takes special people. For me meds have never really had much success though there were times that I felt slightly better. But the only thing that has ever made me feel half way normal was weed. I stopped smoking it for over 10 years only to go back to it after several hard emotional times in my life. Which is one thing I've recognized in my CPTSD is that I don't regulate emotions well at all. I am a very empathetic person, but when it comes to being hurt in a very deep way...I don't handle it like others might. Instantly my emotions go to the highest points they've ever been and start from there...This is a huge problem because I can wake up and just start sobbing the minute my thoughts start and that feeling hits me. Its exhausting.
This term CPTSD was my own self diagnoses Definitly suffer from trauma from my youth up now age 74 my first understanding of this added complex part was one who has been repeatedly exposed to serious events in my case I have never sought any cure or theropy my need was quite basic How to stop those who cause thes episodes I have recovered from many kinds of meantal and physicsl abuses but then someone will cause a situation that triggers a trauma like reaction . now of course one might think that I am highly suseptable to little things and call them serious .or that I evenam the cause of them myself. of course I stand ready to reason on the facts and see if most people would not readily agree that these situations are very serious enough. I to often wonder why it is that some people are like a magnet and seem to atrack bad things. my answer to this has been my recent discovery of the term gaslighting Where its the perpetrator who has the magnet and is drawn to my type . Iam the kind who hates confrontation willing to compromise in the interest of peace and bearup with out complaint for years. But after so many years of this I am now armed with knowledge to shats going on but now too old to really fight them like I said I could live a good enough life if these people didnt cross paths with my life . Finally one other related point 'bullying' This has become widely talked a out and condemed and yet most people dont know that its not a crime and nealy impossible to punish the perpetrator or even give them a warning to lay off. that might go a long ways in helping some because those who bully are mostly ignorant of its damage and might feel ashamed of themselves if they were corrected openly. but unfortunately there is much retoric but zero action the standard responce is report this to your local authorities. From what I am learning about the whole field of mental health is the growing list of types and categories are almost infinite and that proves as humans no two of us are alike so the search will continue to over lap with similarities
I was diagnosed with bipolar and "a complex kind of ptsd" and eating disorder. I have a history of trauma starting in childhood. The psychiatrist had a really good take on it when she that something happens in my life, I don't get over it before something else happens. Life has been a struggle and it's been difficult to keep going.
I thought you did well describing the differences. I thought the portions in which you discussed treatments & their effectiveness, was sorely lacking. You missed an opportunity to talk about a number of new treatments currently being tried, from EMDR, psilocybins, therapist guided mdma therapy, cold therapy to stimulate & increase vagal tone, special types of breathing (Wim Hof), art therapy such as painting helps make stronger & increased neural connections in parts of the brain, where development may be weaker as a result of a traumatic environment during a child’s very early years. There’s much more, & I’m not an expert in the MH field, but these treatments are now commonly heard of within your field. I think it’s important to mention them, & let victims of CPTSD know there’s real hope. Of all the things I’ve mentioned (I’ve not tried mdma therapy), I find the quickest, best way to feel better is daily brief cold therapy/ plus breathing. It does change one’s over-reactive limbic system in the brain. Art therapy such as 🎨, also seems to create new neural pathways. There’s much more, but those are the top ones I’d be looking into if I wanted treatment for CPTSD
I was diagnosed with bpd after schizoaffective disorder bipolar treatment did not control my emotions. They now believe I am not BPD since I avoid people and feel lonely even with people I care and love….along with triggers from hostile people(who act like my father) and other things that remind me of the past esp conflicts. They diagnosed me with PTSD but mention complex due to knowing my history of childhood abuse and trauma. I am finally getting the help I need along with my psychotic disorder. Thank you for this video, I better understand why they mistook me as a person with BPD.
Agree with you that CPTSD is more palatable and, therefore, gaining "popularity fast. However, I think many of these issues simply exist on a continuum or, as in autism, on a spectrum. There is something in our approach to problem solving that makes us desperately want to categorize, delineate perfectly. The DSM5 list characteristics for given issues and leads us to believe we are home free if we don't fit perfectly. For example, NPD lists 9 characteristics but only five are needed for a diagnosis. Am I home free if I only have four? Will I simply get a diagnosis of narcissistic traits? In this light, I suspect CPTSD is nothing more than a variant of BPD, possibly even NPD. I fit the CPSTD diagnosis perfectly. Many therapists rule out BPD for me. I think they are wrong if I use Memorable Psychiatry's venn diagram. I have the difficulty in relationships component of BPD and all the other characteristics of CPTSD except for isolation. I have desperately tried all my life to make up for not mattering to my mother. Mental health issues simply do not fit a "one-size fits all" paradigm.
CPTSD can also be from being in a abusive romantic relationship that lasts months or years because complex trauma is prolonged and repeated trauma such as sexual abuse, especially if it happens as a kid
My GP has suspected I had BPD because of my symptoms and them being contextualised by my abusive mother who saw the same doctor. In actuality all my emotional disregulation was in direct response from being bullied every day ar school and then coming home to be shouted at too. I didn’t have the insecurity or volatility at all, but my abusive mums perspective was I was being completely unreasonable. I was being emotionally and psychologically abused at home beginning around 11 that I can actually remember, and had a mental breakdown at 13. I’m 31 and my life has been in ruins, and I am disabled from complex ptsd and chronic severe depression. I don’t know how I didn’t kill myself. I’m trying to learn why my life went so fucking wrong and make peace with the mess I am so I can achieve some level of peace. I spent 13 to 20 with psychomotor agitation, and after being made homeless and repeatedly experiencing new institutionalised and neglect trauma I shifted into psychomotor retardation. I either feel nothing at all or I’m having a terrifying crisis.
" ''In actuality all my emotional disregulation was in direct response from being bullied every day ar school and then coming home to be shouted at too.' " Sounds quite familiar to me, I went through the same kind of experience. My father was an alcoholic and abusive as well, so often being at home was a miserable experience when he was around. I basically got hit by a triple whammy.
I was diagnosed with complex PTSD . I have had two instances with extreme trauma where I have almost died. I find life really hard but I need to live with it. I had to just adjust my life and come to terms.
You did that because you had trauma and not chronic trauma. People with cptsd can't "live with it". (No disrespect intended, but just too clarify for readers.) It's the difference between a broken leg (it's a part of me but isn't me) vs a broken self ("I" myself am broken). Imagine having that near death trauma 50 times a day for 5 years, and, you are an infant that can't make sense of it. You're screwed. You're changed and your fight/flight alarm system gets turned on permanently. Very tough.
Thankyou for sharing this 💜🙏💜 There is not enough information, resources or research on CPTSD … I believe it may have to do with the lack of awareness and receptive responses for us who are still experiencing trauma that causes PTSD ( “old habits and old belief systems die hard”) therefore CPTSD is caused by someone who experiences Ongoing trauma that is in fact begun in the past yet STILL happening. And until we collectively investigate and understand and believe this while treating it as a very serious present issue, it will continue. CHRONIC PTSD is what complex is. It truly is simple and others don’t want to listen 😓🙏🙏🙏💜
I found marijuana is so effective I don’t use any other drugs. I have lots of issues and live with knowing I need to continue healing throughout my life. Please don’t harm children.
I think it's time to view ALL human behavoiurs and attitudes and coping mechanisms as normal. That is not to imply that the behaviours and attitudes are ideally comfortable and middle of the road. It is to imply that they are extremely common behavoiurs and attitudes, with the commoness rendering them - routinely normal in our society.
The knowledge domain not covered was the effective treatments which studies (and peoples' experiences) a show to be effective. Talk therapy and medication seems far less effective... body based approaches far more effective.
I think you find different degrees of CPTSD, due to you witnessed, your parents, so that I would think was neglect from them. Actual experiencing something being physically done to a child over a long period of time, as in s/abuse from 6 to 13. Neglect, physical, mental, emotional, and abandonment from my mother from 0 to 6. These where things I had to experience. My mum was narrsassistic. She knew about the abuse my brothers did. All at 13 Later on after remaining silent all my life, to protect her and my step father she said prove it. I have plenty of proof, this actually ripped my soul out, I became the scapegoat all turned on me, I became that I'll, I've lost my home,everything. I suffered a lot of other traumas over the past 8 years.so much injustice. I retreated cut everyone off. Not a soul. I'm homeless, my council and secretary of my MP, said my mental health is not there problem. The feeling of no security, no one to help, the fear is over whelming
So it's always either one time traumatic event ages 10 - 55 or early childhood developmental trauma? What about prolonged, COMPLEX, not as traumatic as single events but in their entirety kinda traumatic experiences spread out throughout say the teenage years or early adolescence?Is that deemed an impossible, non-existing scenario or what?
I believe that sonataform would be an incredibly unhelpful diagnosis, especially if a psychologist knows that there is significant trauma in the patient’s past. It does not seem helpful to have a diagnosis of “symptoms that can’t be explained”, as if it’s fibromyalgia or something, when it obviously can’t be explained why the patient is experiencing these symptoms. CPTSD is more helpful but it just needs to be better defined. And honestly, there are no better people to define it than those who are clearly experiencing it. And we know how to identify those people because we can identify PTSD, and then you just add on the reoccurrence of trauma over a specified period of time. This is fairly simply. Then we start by tackling those symptoms that most people with determined CPTSD experience. There we will have a list of extremely common symptoms, and for more severe cases, those symptoms. And they need to not keep limiting it to childhood trauma. It makes sense that can easily be part of it, but an adult that is in a n extremely abusive marriage, say for 5 to 20 years can also reach the same level of developmental trauma. But there does need to be a clearly defined pathology so that people with this disorder can get help. I’m one of them with both childhood abuse and 17 years of a domestic violence marriage. I’m no longer in that marriage, but I feel like I had a shot of recovering and being sort of “normal” after my childhood abuse experience, not saying I’m ok with any of it, nor that I was without some bad symptoms, but what happened during my marriage cemented my place in being highly dysfunctional. I will say that my symptoms of what I determine to undoubtedly be CPTSD are: * Severe distrust even when I know that someone cares about me and would never intentionally harm me in any way, I still have moments where I perceive that they definitely want to hurt me. It obviously affects all of my relationships. * Skewed perception of people’s motives. While this is almost the same as distrust, the way I view the whole world, life, and people are what makes it different. I have a negative perception most of the time. * Brain fog. This is the hardest symptom to live with. I have problems focusing when I used to be very sharp and attentive to detail. I’m forgetful and really disorganized, even when I’m trying. I almost feel like I’m developing early Alzheimer’s or something, but I know that’s not the case because when I’m working hard to focus, or I’m having an unusually good day, I can retain a lot of details. * I don’t really think back about the events that led me here that much. I do have memories of it, but it seems I’ve lost a lot of it. I’m sure I avoid thinking about it as well. So there’s that. I don’t want to remember it. * I sometimes feel numb to life and people, and I hate that. Bad or good, you want to feel something. But I believe that I had to make myself numb so that everything that happened didn’t break me. I have an arsenal of defense mechanisms so those things can’t happen again. * Unsurprisingly, I get trigger by small but specific things. By triggered, I mean I get angry or defensive and can lash out. I often accuse people of being malicious when deep down I know they aren’t. I always go back to apologize later, but I hate that I do it and want it to stop. I’ve gotten much better over the years, but it still happens if the right button is pressed. I’m actually high functioning after what I’ve been through, which is childhood SA and physical abuse, and as an adult mental, emotional, verbal, sexual, financial, and at times physical abuse. But when I got a divorce, I didn’t go straight to alcohol and drugs, i continued being a good mom, although I wish I spent more time with my son. I went back to school and I have a good paying job and my job is very technical. There are also high mental standards for where I work due to safety. And I hate that is always part of the criteria when we look this stuff up. I know we are more susceptible to substance abuse, but I don’t like that it paints it as pretty much a certainty. That can lead to bad stigma for those who aren’t substance abusers. While I may be ok in the long run, it’s a battle for me everyday, as I’m sure it is with others with this “condition”. It isn’t something you can easily just talk out or take a pill for. I e tried so many things. The battle is always inside and the pain never lets up. Anyway, I’m willing to bet that other people with CPTSD can relate to some of my complaints. If you want to know what it’s really like, it shouldn’t be up to a psychologist to determine, it should be up to the reports of people with CPTSD, and the symptoms that don’t match perfectly can all be set aside as something else unless more is revealed on it later. Just my opinion.
Cptsd most certainly does have unstable identity. I have cptsd, and my persona has changed over and over throughout life. I've copied characters from books and movies, friends, classmates, family members etcetera, all without noticing I was doing it for years. If you listen to the experts, they all say that this is a key part of cptsd. Also, suicidality. I've attempted suicide several times throughout my life.
Thats so interesting. I've had experiences with MDMA (not in a clinical setting) and I always end up with voices in my head. No idea why. I'm diagnosed with BPD/CPTSD and ADHD. I find coke really helpful though. I feel grounded, focused and emotionally stable. But that's just me though! We're all wired differently
I cannot start on how hurtful it is when trauma chews you out majorly till the point of yet another mental breakdown. And people in your inmediate surroundings tell you to chill out, because your just being "dramatic" because of your borderline. Iike really?! I'm sorry for being "dramatic" because of being heavily abused most of my life. Which left my mind broken and my life in shambles.... yeah those breakdowns are dramatic, but i wish it was so simple as (no disrespect intended) borderline. If it would be that, i'll be fine in a few hours. But this thing constanly creeps on, deeper and darker by the day. And it will not let you go for a moment.... Keeping my mouth shut and suffer in silence or keep my distance from socialising is the less troublesome way to deal with this. Seeing ppl will misunderstand. Or get unhappy once they notice you are not BS-en around and are genuige in distress 24/7, 365 days a year.
For those of you confused about Complex PTSD and its definition, listen to Dr Diane Langberg. She's an expert on the subject and explains quite well what this Dx is.
I like this video but I really wish people would stop comparing BPD to CPTSD. BPD has a noted genetic element. CPTSD is caused by the environment you grow up in. People with CPTSD have physical symptoms of PTSD, people with BPD don’t. Nightmares are a chronic part of CPTSD, not so much BPD. CPTSD can ramp up to DID, BPD can’t.
CPTSD is PTSD on steroids. A lot of steroids. You can attempt to clinically describe it, but it can be as different as humans are. Kind of like a spectrum, like autism. And, yes, i have both. You can learn to deal with it and compensate, but you carry it with you throughout your life. Im 60 now and doing better, but its still there.
So glad you've found something that works for you! I have CPTSD and QBPD and I do the same thing with MDMA. The only time my mind feels completely free and at peace.
I actually think it’s clear CPSD is someone who has had consistent abuse over time as opposed to one or a narrow amount of time with trauma. It shows the struggles of someone who had sustained trauma. Trust me no one cares As I grew up only in abuse I struggle to be. CPTSD. Is literally dx separate from bipolar and should have been a way to stop dx people who have been a victim over time and hopefully help. I disagree with this video. The fact he links books about psychiatry and biology at the end is amazing. He put CPTSD in categories of bipolar and manic depression. No chronic means ongoing. Post traumatic stress means we struggle after an event. God help us who ask for help. They get it wrong and it’s why people who just need security end up on 18 medications because they were raped daily for 10 years. I just want to know the justice.
It’s too bad it was given the name CPTSD as it conflicts with the general definition of PTSD. The politics and debate around this distract from the real need to identify and treat this. Perhaps “Complex Trauma” would be a better name for it.
If you are such an expert, explain specifically why you are saying this. Seeing as you did not do this to begin with, I assume you have no idea what you are talking about.
It is good to know that CPTSD is now more recognised. I didn't know I had it until last year and am now 72. I was abused at the age of 5 and it was hidden in my memory for decades until I completed a two year HNC course on Counselling. This raised many issues for me and in particular, delayed grief. Abuse was something I continued to experience throughout my life and am only now sorting myself out. I have now forgiven my abusers but will never forget. My future is brighter than ever before
May you have a wonderful time doing so Doreen
I am so proud of you Doreen, keep going ❤
Having both a case of cptsd and a master in clinical psychology (but I'm not professionally working in the field), a few things come to my mind when watching video's like these. E.g. re-experiencing the trauma. A single event trauma can be characterized as a photo, whereas cptsd can be better described as a movie. This makes re-experiencing a bit difficult. Unless of course there are some typical traumatic peaks. It usually involves a feeling of mightlessness over a longer period of time. I had it twice (primary school was 5 years of being picked on and getting beaten up), and much later, in my 40's it was a 7 year period of being degraded both at home and at work.
I figured I had created my own coping mechanisms, which I better call "survival techniques". But they all were insufficient. Now a psychologist won't diagnose me with PTSD cause I have no flashbacks or nightmares or whatever anymore. My trauma has found a new home in my back and chest muscles, causing me pain and respiration problems. The pain often appears in my chest, which gives me panic attacks (cos I fear for a heart attack).
In short, I think that "re-experiencing" as a symptom for cptsd should be reconsidered. There may be more beneath the surface.
A messed up movie like someone put the scenes in wrong.
@@acaciaknight8341 I was actually referring to the situation where you have had no help and in time you created your own (not-working) ways of dealing with the re-experiecing. In my situation I was able to reduce the flashbacks and nightmares to almost zero. But in the end they were only replaced by other "physical" symptoms, like very extreme chest, neck and upper-backpains (musculus trapezuis). So bad I can barely do my housekeeping, had to give up playing guitar (my main hobby) and can't do a normal dayjob anymore. The pain also interferes with my breathing and energy-levels.
But now the psychologists I have seen tell me I have no CPTSD, because I am not re-experiencing things anymore. I got different diagnoses over the years, but never CPTSD. Eventho the causes were clear; there were just too many of them (being picked on and beaten up for 5 years in primary school, surviving a period of 7 years in which I was constantly being degraded both at work and at home, and finally being victim to an extortion and being threathened to be killed (followed by 10 years of bailiffs trying to force the last bit food out of my mouth)).
It's mainly my chiropractor who says that these pains in the upper-back and shoulder are very often caused by trauma. I believe she is right. I wouldn't care if I was the only one on the planet. But I am fairly sure many people are mis-diagnosed because of the blindspot in the DSM. I think it's like when you break your leg and you can't go to the hospital. The fracture will eventually heal, but not correctly and you will walk with a limp forever.
@@herryhubert2338 Ya I focused in on part of it and I guess trailed off in my brain. It happens to me a lot...horrible horrible memory issues. I have the symptoms too that are similar to chronic fatigue syndrome though maybe not as immobile. people with a higher level of PTSD imo CPTSD develop debilitating adrenal fatigue which appears I believe as CFS. I have a lot of pain and have been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis and Fibromyalgia. Through years of pain medications that seemed not to work well for my body. I haven't worked in over 20 years. I am extremely isolated and my brain feels like its working harder to remember the simplest things. I developed breathing issues about 10 or so years ago they said it was "Allergic Asthma" and I tried different inhalers and allergy injections without much relief. I use cough drops all the time to feel like my airway is open enough to breathe. I basicly diagnosed myself initially with PTSD and a couple years later added the Complex part even though CPTSD its not yet accepted by the DSM. I too have been dx with all kinds of things over the years. I can't speak for everyone, but I'm certain that some of my aches and pains are due to clenching my jaw and my body stiffening up making my muscles constantly ache. I have ridiculous racing thoughts that give me intense anxiety. The craziest things can trigger me and they don't have to in anyway that I am aware of be related. Like, My nightmares vary, but are more of the crazy trying to escape types that feel so real. I don't have many nightmares that are a re-experiencing the traumas type. Maybe because the brain has been so damaged and you cant separate the traumas and thats why the nightmares are so weird idk. I do have flashbacks a lot still and some of them I know exactly what they are from while others are really more confusing. And yknow flashbacks are never convenient and you wind up asking people repeatedly what they just said or trying to piece it together based on what your brain did register. Its exhausting and frustrating to not be able to get through to my Dr how debilitating it is. Just one of the major symptoms could debilitate a person...but with CPTSD you have multiple symptoms that alone would debilitate a person and its that much more intense. My anxiety is constant and my panic attacks are frequent. I have had several people over the years that have told me that the body remembers the pain. I had so many traumas over a long period of time that I don't know which pain is from what thing either most of the time, because most of the traumas have no dates that I remember because there were so many. I know my brain and overall emotional & mental health were stunted by the traumas so much so that while I am an adult and can somewhat function as an adult...I am stuck in several places...I don't think its DID necessarily, but it is closely related.
You have to have the PTSD core Symptoms to have a CPTSD diagnosis but you can stilll work on the issues you do have in therapy,diagnoses are just man made criteria.
Damn…
Psychedelic saved me from years of uncontrollable depression, anxiety and illicit pill addiction. Imagine carrying heavy chains for over a decade and then all of a sudden that burden is gone. Believe it or not in a couple years they'll be all over for treatment of mental health related issues
I CANNOT STRESS enough how clearly this is explained here.
To be up to date with discerning the differences in these issues, you can't go past this video and it's content!
Actually, there's some misinformation here. Cptsd does have lack of identity, just like BPD, and there's also high suicidality. They thought I had BPD for about a year or so, but the diagnosis changed to cptsd upon my therapist getting to know me through the therapy relationship. I was sure it was BPD for the reasons that the video states here, but I had to be corrected by my therapist. Identity issues most certainly exist in cptsd, as well as self harm and suicide. There's a reason they call us chameleons. I've experienced all three and had to be convinced by a medical professional that it wasn't BPD, but in fact complex ptsd that caused it.
I think it is really wrong that CPTSD is not included in the DSM. How could being abused as a child for years and years not be different from having something bad happen as an adult?
Its not in the books because the white coats are gaslighting and scapegoating us with other diagnosis so that they can throw more chemichal drugs at, and make kickbacks from big pharma. And treat longer.
I absolutely agree. I am a textbook case. I got my diagnosis at 69. I am making incredible leaps of understanding with a great therapist. I went originally for breast cancer counselling so this diagnosis was both a blessing and the hardest thing I have ever done.
its in the ICD 11 the international manual of diseases outside the states.You treat it regardless of any committee recognising it
This is probably the best description I have seen about CPTSD vs personality disorders. Thank you
I have complex-ptsd, severe major depression, anxiety and ocd. When you've gotten abused almost your whole life like I've been through and eye witnessed horrible and terrible things. It scars you for life. It destroys you mentally, emotionally and physically. Complex ptsd isn't fun at all. It's not a laughing matter or funny at all. I have come to my own realization about myself is that I'm broken and can't be fixed because I went through too many years of horrible, terrible things happening to me or happening around me. Some people just aren't fixable and I'm one of those people. Broken.
Look up ☝️☝️that handle, he’s got the best tips and helps. I’ve microdosed shrooms for about 6 months now and it has really helped my CPTSD, anxiety and depression and I’ll recommend it for anyone🙏
Yknow I have heard that a lot from people I've encountered online with CPTSD...they believe that there is no fixing it and feel broken. Maybe that should be part of the criteria as well. There may even be a secondary diagnosis to the CPTSD with OCD as I have met quite a few as well that have OCD. Its exhausting I get it I really do.
@@acaciaknight8341I have CPTSD and OCD it's energy draining
I found taking mushrooms to be a horrible experience. Microdosing or otherwise, so take everything with a grain of salt from what 2-3 people say on the internet. Signed: another traumatic broken c-ptsd person.
Yes, I understand. I used to work with victims of torture, a few were just too broken.
"Normal PTSD" include all three of the items you list as additional for cPTSD. When you think about it, it makes sense that abuse during the developmental stages will result in PTSD type sxs, and also sxs of BPD (lack of self worth, fears of adandonment, etc). cPTSD appears to be a subtype of PTSD, and should be added to the next edition of the DSM in my opinion.
I survived childhood SA from about the age of 6 to 15. My first real relationship was abusive for 6 years. I never realized i was very different until 2017 and stumbled across articles about ptsd and cptsd. I have never been able to afford to see anyone for a diagnosis, but I can see the flashing lights clearly now. Avoidance has always been my go to, I'm 35 unboxing 20 year old trauma 😐
51 here. Still working to heal
@@JimSchmidt-h7i may you both sleep well and be as healthy as can be
I have CPTSD and I can say that the relationships are not a black and white symptom. For example many people that have suffered childhood abuse go onto be in abusive relationships whether its verbally, emotionally, mentally, financially, physically or sexually. Because of that factor they'll have a higher likelihood of getting into abusive relationships even though thats not at all what they want. Some people will have had some stabilizing moments that allowed them to build better relationships, but they'll still struggle with building and maintaining those relationships most commonly. So because that symptom itself is so varying it shouldn't be part of the main criteria but as a symptom that can coexist. I had an extremely abusive childhood in more ways than one and I think you have to look at the levels of Dissociation and Anxiety for the largest key differences as well as the other symptoms levels. I read somewhere that they found that the Hippocampus physically shrinks with high levels of stress possibly induced by trauma. If that is the case it would seem its more a traumatic brain injury of sorts.
I think we end up a lot in the wrong relationships because we can’t regulate our emotions well, see red flags well and unknowingly search for a reason to be on hyper alert. My ex psychiatrist told me this once as I was misdiagnosed with bpd first and he did see that I wasn’t causing the problems with this kind of situations and I just got in a lot of miserable situations also, because I didn’t really see how dangerous something could turn out while another one would state obvious.
That psychiatrist was the first one explaining me that he believed in complex ptsd and it really changes the brain!
@@xxLoveeeit Yes and I can say for me its like I can go from 'my norm' to a very high level emotion very quickly. Like starting off at your most painful memories kind of emotions that only builds with each emotional thing in life and that is I do agree a very real part of it.
I’ve said the very same…I feel like a TBI..
CPTSD affects everyone differently, for one person, this may not be the case.
CPTSD is different from PTSD because the mistreatment/abuse by parents or other caregivers is ongoing throughout childhood-and even continues into adulthood. BPD is NOT part of most ppl’s CPTSD issues. ADULT CAREGIVERS ARE TO BLAME. Developmental trauma affects many facets of victims’ lives. Narcissistic parents or caregivers, (or those parents with other extreme psychological issues) is the cause. Kids need to feel safe, cared for, loved, and need to be allowed to be kids, instead of being seen as ‘mini-adults’ who should know everything & never make mistakes. In this situation, kids are supposed to parent their parents sometimes & to “just know what to do” without help. Kids in this situation are often not allowed to find out who they are. Many developmental stages are also missed that are part of a normal childhood. So many ppl are now affected by CPTSD. The DSM-5 is wildly out of contact with reality by not listening to professionals who do try to treat patients with CPTSD, and by not actually talking to a variety of ppl affected. So many people are so glad to finally know why & what caused their difficulties. Having a diagnosis (whether in the ‘hallowed DSM-5’ or NOT), is helpful to so many ppl who suffer.
You just described my life and a four year journey through various types of therapy. Thank you for being so insightful. ❤
Thank you for this video. I have a dx of CPTSD, MDD, GA.OCD. I am a stable Anorexic with a history of Bulimia. I am grateful for Anti-depressant mediations - I take and SSRI and an NSRI. I've have 6 full years of CBT. I now touch base with a therapist. I often need to get a reality check. I tend to be hard on myself. I am very grateful for the help and knowledge I have been given. To see me in the street, you'd think I was just the average person, and I am happy about this. No-one has to know I am juggling some of the other stuff. I hope more people can get treatment and go on to enjoy their lives. I am glad to know that my condition is now known and recognized; moreover, is treatable.
I have PTSD, BPD, Somatoform Disorders and Eating Disorder and Chronic Depressive Disorder/Major Depression...the more I learn about C-PTSD, the more I think this is the right diagnosis, especially since I had prolonged developmental trauma/interpersonal trauma instead of one specific adult trauma. Here is a new clinic specializing in C-PTSD, I am on their list, hope I can finally find the right treatment as DBT didn't help/was even harmful in certain ways, and nor did CBT, only gave me the rational knowledge but no lasting solutions. I put much hope into DBT-PTSD!
Look up ☝️☝️that handle, he’s got the best tips and helps. I’ve microdosed shrooms for about 6 months now and it has really helped my CPTSD, anxiety and depression and I’ll recommend it for anyone🙏
I haven't been diagnosed with AID or Somatoform, but have those tendencies. Not so much like a hypochondriac... its more about the fear of everything and so when something happens with your body or your symptoms seem to be related to something you've heard then you relate it to that extreme which brings us full circle back to anxiety/panic as a lead symptom.
Accepting g that you have the disorde and understand itr is the first step to dealing g with it.Many do not even reach that stage.
At least you are self aware,most with CPTSD are not.
@@scarred10 Cannot blame a lot of them really, they are often very misdiagnosed and the trauma often overlooked.
I was diagnosed with BPD and CPTSD. I avoid romantic relationships and the very rare times I want to be with someone they're always emotionally unavailable. I think I'm drawn to people I can't be with. Through therapy I learnt that I don't really fit the BPD bill, but perhaps I learnt BPD behaviours from my undiagnosed parent (who I no longer speak to, but I really hope they get help). Alone is safe, but lonely. I think that should be the motto of the day for all you lovely people xx
Look at the recent video by coach The Crappy Childhood Fairy. It's about exactly your second sentence
We share the same dilemma. Only difference is I desperately looked for a relationship. I didn't give up. Therapists say I do not fit BPD. But I don't fit one of the most important characteristics of CPTSD: isolating. So what is wrong with me?
Another point you made: we learn our ways of relating to the world from our parents. My problem is not that I disagree. I simply have a very difficult understanding what difference that makes. If we present with the same behaviors, we have the problem. We have to own our behaviors. Is it like the old saying, "if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it must be a duck"? Or am I not able to understand the complexity of these things?
Want to add that I am still desperately lonely.
@@nancybartley4610 Hey Nancy, sorry to hear you're struggling too! I struggle with managing my emotions. I react the same way my parent does. However, the defining difference is, is that I am aware of my maladaptive behaviours. I've worked hard (still working) to learn how to control myself. Whereas, my parent sees nothing wrong. They don't understand they have a problem. They think the world is bullying them and they are always the victim. It's not their fault. I just don't think they have the capacity to see how hurtful they can be. I hope you find a therapist that you resonate with and someone who can give you the tools to overcome your issues xx
Thanks, Em. It is interesting, isn't it, how some people refuse to accept any personal responsibility. I wonder why? I got the impression from my mom that shame was the reason. Best to you.
by far the best description ever, thank you. Much better then my rambling on the subject.
I bought your books both for psych and Neuro. It's amazing during my residency. For real I remember different things due to the visuals. Thank you so much. You're a real bro
Awesome, glad that they helped!
Thanks for the info. The reduced effectiveness of CBT and medication w/ CPTSD makes sense. Some things you just have to live with.
I believe I have CPTSD, but when it comes to the avoiding relationships part, I Always find myself in one, and the biggest role I play in most my relationships, romantic or not, Is almost always people pleasing, to an unhealthy extent. It’s also known as fawning for those of you that are familiar with the term. My relationships may “feel” stable but it may be because I’m the only one holding it up. I will go out of my way, sacrificing my time, energy, money, emotional stability, for people in my life and am mostly met with much less in return. It wasn’t until recently that I realized I was doing this and I didn’t cut people out per se, but as soon as I stopped making an effort, people stopped coming around as much, and that tells me pretty much what I need to know…
Yeah... i know how you feel. It gets to a critical point where I either self sabotage so much that others can't help but notice, or I rage out and let out all of my anger and resentment in one NASTY outburst. The latter is surprisingly less damaging and definitely feels a lot better, but self-destruction seems to be my typical way of coping. I just got a CPTSD diagnosis, and I am relieved to be able to understand these aspects of my behavior that I for years I could not seem to comprehend, much less control...
i’m the same way😢
I have classic (text book) C-PTSD. Then reading about it all those years ago, I was shocked how much I related to it.
As a sufferer from CPTSD I can say (for myself at least) that CBT, forgive my language doesn't do Jack-$#!t for me. Been to at least a handful of therapists and it just never helped. On the contrary I more often than not felt even worse after a session until I finally stopped going. Meds on the other hand at least help calm my anxiety and also lift my mood a bit. However, everyone is different I suppose? Other than that a really brilliant video. Thanks for spreading the awareness.
That’s most people’s experience! CBT is glorified victim blaming. It’s because trauma is stored in the body and changing our thinking (CBT) does nothing. But a body based therapy (EMDR, somatic experiencing etc) can help so much more!
In my experience it was helpful in the way that I received it. Which was in a small group setting of others with similar traumas as me and delivered as a intensive 3 week healing group. I did try their exercises and it did help in part...releasing some of the trauma issues and the reiteration of all the positive affirmations to tell yourself as a means to retrain the brain. I think the most important element to success in anything will be the way its delivered and the way the person is treated during any of the therapy sessions. Victim blaming/shaming is very prevalent in our society as well so making sure without a doubt you aren't being judged for what happened to you is a huge thing and that takes special people. For me meds have never really had much success though there were times that I felt slightly better. But the only thing that has ever made me feel half way normal was weed. I stopped smoking it for over 10 years only to go back to it after several hard emotional times in my life. Which is one thing I've recognized in my CPTSD is that I don't regulate emotions well at all. I am a very empathetic person, but when it comes to being hurt in a very deep way...I don't handle it like others might. Instantly my emotions go to the highest points they've ever been and start from there...This is a huge problem because I can wake up and just start sobbing the minute my thoughts start and that feeling hits me. Its exhausting.
I feel like cbt is just taking away our safety behavior and leaving us with nothing but feeling unsafe and unworthy to even exist.
same
@@FourThousandMilesTogether I'm needing EMDR but so hard to get right now
I know it’s stupid but that made me smile. I’m special! I don’t only have PTSD. I have PTSD+
Yeah 😂
Try shrooms
This term CPTSD was my own self diagnoses Definitly suffer from trauma from my youth up now age 74 my first understanding of this added complex part was one who has been repeatedly exposed to serious events in my case I have never sought any cure or theropy my need was quite basic How to stop those who cause thes episodes I have recovered from many kinds of meantal and physicsl abuses but then someone will cause a situation that triggers a trauma like reaction . now of course one might think that I am highly suseptable to little things and call them serious .or that I evenam the cause of them myself. of course I stand ready to reason on the facts and see if most people would not readily agree that these situations are very serious enough. I to often wonder why it is that some people are like a magnet and seem to atrack bad things. my answer to this has been my recent discovery of the term gaslighting Where its the perpetrator who has the magnet and is drawn to my type . Iam the kind who hates confrontation willing to compromise in the interest of peace and bearup with out complaint for years. But after so many years of this I am now armed with knowledge to shats going on but now too old to really fight them like I said I could live a good enough life if these people didnt cross paths with my life . Finally one other related point 'bullying' This has become widely talked a out and condemed and yet most people dont know that its not a crime and nealy impossible to punish the perpetrator or even give them a warning to lay off. that might go a long ways in helping some because those who bully are mostly ignorant of its damage and might feel ashamed of themselves if they were corrected openly. but unfortunately there is much retoric but zero action the standard responce is report this to your local authorities. From what I am learning about the whole field of mental health is the growing list of types and categories are almost infinite and that proves as humans no two of us are alike so the search will continue to over lap with similarities
thank you for sharing your experiences and words
CPTSD also has a relationship to ADHD. I have adhd and I’m pretty sure I have complex ptsd too.
I was diagnosed with bipolar and "a complex kind of ptsd" and eating disorder. I have a history of trauma starting in childhood. The psychiatrist had a really good take on it when she that something happens in my life, I don't get over it before something else happens. Life has been a struggle and it's been difficult to keep going.
I was diagnosed in 2017 and iv been declining ever since it's been hell i hope i find level of peace
I have CPTS and BPD
I thought you did well describing the differences. I thought the portions in which you discussed treatments & their effectiveness, was sorely lacking. You missed an opportunity to talk about a number of new treatments currently being tried, from EMDR, psilocybins, therapist guided mdma therapy, cold therapy to stimulate & increase vagal tone, special types of breathing (Wim Hof), art therapy such as painting helps make stronger & increased neural connections in parts of the brain, where development may be weaker as a result of a traumatic environment during a child’s very early years. There’s much more, & I’m not an expert in the MH field, but these treatments are now commonly heard of within your field. I think it’s important to mention them, & let victims of CPTSD know there’s real hope. Of all the things I’ve mentioned (I’ve not tried mdma therapy), I find the quickest, best way to feel better is daily brief cold therapy/ plus breathing. It does change one’s over-reactive limbic system in the brain. Art therapy such as 🎨, also seems to create new neural pathways.
There’s much more, but those are the top ones I’d be looking into if I wanted treatment for CPTSD
I was diagnosed with bpd after schizoaffective disorder bipolar treatment did not control my emotions. They now believe I am not BPD since I avoid people and feel lonely even with people I care and love….along with triggers from hostile people(who act like my father) and other things that remind me of the past esp conflicts. They diagnosed me with PTSD but mention complex due to knowing my history of childhood abuse and trauma. I am finally getting the help I need along with my psychotic disorder. Thank you for this video, I better understand why they mistook me as a person with BPD.
I used to have PTSD until a friend introduced me to psychedelic shrooms
My life has changed since then
Agree with you that CPTSD is more palatable and, therefore, gaining "popularity fast. However, I think many of these issues simply exist on a continuum or, as in autism, on a spectrum. There is something in our approach to problem solving that makes us desperately want to categorize, delineate perfectly. The DSM5 list characteristics for given issues and leads us to believe we are home free if we don't fit perfectly. For example, NPD lists 9 characteristics but only five are needed for a diagnosis. Am I home free if I only have four? Will I simply get a diagnosis of narcissistic traits?
In this light, I suspect CPTSD is nothing more than a variant of BPD, possibly even NPD. I fit the CPSTD diagnosis perfectly. Many therapists rule out BPD for me. I think they are wrong if I use Memorable Psychiatry's venn diagram. I have the difficulty in relationships component of BPD and all the other characteristics of CPTSD except for isolation. I have desperately tried all my life to make up for not mattering to my mother.
Mental health issues simply do not fit a "one-size fits all" paradigm.
This is a great summary - clear and concise, and up to date. Thx
CPTSD can also be from being in a abusive romantic relationship that lasts months or years because complex trauma is prolonged and repeated trauma such as sexual abuse, especially if it happens as a kid
My GP has suspected I had BPD because of my symptoms and them being contextualised by my abusive mother who saw the same doctor. In actuality all my emotional disregulation was in direct response from being bullied every day ar school and then coming home to be shouted at too. I didn’t have the insecurity or volatility at all, but my abusive mums perspective was I was being completely unreasonable.
I was being emotionally and psychologically abused at home beginning around 11 that I can actually remember, and had a mental breakdown at 13. I’m 31 and my life has been in ruins, and I am disabled from complex ptsd and chronic severe depression. I don’t know how I didn’t kill myself. I’m trying to learn why my life went so fucking wrong and make peace with the mess I am so I can achieve some level of peace.
I spent 13 to 20 with psychomotor agitation, and after being made homeless and repeatedly experiencing new institutionalised and neglect trauma I shifted into psychomotor retardation. I either feel nothing at all or I’m having a terrifying crisis.
" ''In actuality all my emotional disregulation was in direct response from being bullied every day ar school and then coming home to be shouted at too.' "
Sounds quite familiar to me, I went through the same kind of experience. My father was an alcoholic and abusive as well, so often being at home was a miserable experience when he was around. I basically got hit by a triple whammy.
I wonder how many people with a bpd and cptsd diagnosis really have cptsd but got the bpd diagnosis for their doctors insurance reimbursement?
I was diagnosed with complex PTSD . I have had two instances with extreme trauma where I have almost died. I find life really hard but I need to live with it. I had to just adjust my life and come to terms.
You did that because you had trauma and not chronic trauma. People with cptsd can't "live with it". (No disrespect intended, but just too clarify for readers.) It's the difference between a broken leg (it's a part of me but isn't me) vs a broken self ("I" myself am broken). Imagine having that near death trauma 50 times a day for 5 years, and, you are an infant that can't make sense of it. You're screwed. You're changed and your fight/flight alarm system gets turned on permanently. Very tough.
This is how I live mentally@@Robin-bk2lm
The first definition of this was by Judith Herman in the 1990s. I'm wondering how her definition fits in
Thankyou for sharing this 💜🙏💜 There is not enough information, resources or research on CPTSD … I believe it may have to do with the lack of awareness and receptive responses for us who are still experiencing trauma that causes PTSD ( “old habits and old belief systems die hard”) therefore CPTSD is caused by someone who experiences Ongoing trauma that is in fact begun in the past yet STILL happening. And until we collectively investigate and understand and believe this while treating it as a very serious present issue, it will continue.
CHRONIC PTSD is what complex is. It truly is simple and others don’t want to listen 😓🙏🙏🙏💜
I found marijuana is so effective I don’t use any other drugs. I have lots of issues and live with knowing I need to continue healing throughout my life. Please don’t harm children.
Right there with you on this.
I think it's time to view ALL human behavoiurs and attitudes and coping mechanisms as normal. That is not to imply that the behaviours and attitudes are ideally comfortable and middle of the road. It is to imply that they are extremely common behavoiurs and attitudes, with the commoness rendering them - routinely normal in our society.
The knowledge domain not covered was the effective treatments which studies (and peoples' experiences) a show to be effective. Talk therapy and medication seems far less effective... body based approaches far more effective.
I think you find different degrees of CPTSD, due to you witnessed, your parents, so that I would think was neglect from them.
Actual experiencing something being physically done to a child over a long period of time, as in s/abuse from 6 to 13.
Neglect, physical, mental, emotional, and abandonment from my mother from 0 to 6. These where things I had to experience.
My mum was narrsassistic. She knew about the abuse my brothers did. All at 13
Later on after remaining silent all my life, to protect her and my step father she said prove it. I have plenty of proof, this actually ripped my soul out, I became the scapegoat all turned on me, I became that I'll, I've lost my home,everything. I suffered a lot of other traumas over the past 8 years.so much injustice. I retreated cut everyone off. Not a soul. I'm homeless, my council and secretary of my MP, said my mental health is not there problem.
The feeling of no security, no one to help, the fear is over whelming
Thank you so much for your work 🙏
So it's always either one time traumatic event ages 10 - 55 or early childhood developmental trauma? What about prolonged, COMPLEX, not as traumatic as single events but in their entirety kinda traumatic experiences spread out throughout say the teenage years or early adolescence?Is that deemed an impossible, non-existing scenario or what?
You must be reading too far into it. I didn't get this vibe at all from the video and I have been diagnosed with CPTSD and DID
I believe that sonataform would be an incredibly unhelpful diagnosis, especially if a psychologist knows that there is significant trauma in the patient’s past. It does not seem helpful to have a diagnosis of “symptoms that can’t be explained”, as if it’s fibromyalgia or something, when it obviously can’t be explained why the patient is experiencing these symptoms. CPTSD is more helpful but it just needs to be better defined. And honestly, there are no better people to define it than those who are clearly experiencing it. And we know how to identify those people because we can identify PTSD, and then you just add on the reoccurrence of trauma over a specified period of time. This is fairly simply. Then we start by tackling those symptoms that most people with determined CPTSD experience. There we will have a list of extremely common symptoms, and for more severe cases, those symptoms. And they need to not keep limiting it to childhood trauma. It makes sense that can easily be part of it, but an adult that is in a n extremely abusive marriage, say for 5 to 20 years can also reach the same level of developmental trauma. But there does need to be a clearly defined pathology so that people with this disorder can get help. I’m one of them with both childhood abuse and 17 years of a domestic violence marriage. I’m no longer in that marriage, but I feel like I had a shot of recovering and being sort of “normal” after my childhood abuse experience, not saying I’m ok with any of it, nor that I was without some bad symptoms, but what happened during my marriage cemented my place in being highly dysfunctional.
I will say that my symptoms of what I determine to undoubtedly be CPTSD are:
* Severe distrust even when I know that someone cares about me and would never intentionally harm me in any way, I still have moments where I perceive that they definitely want to hurt me. It obviously affects all of my relationships.
* Skewed perception of people’s motives. While this is almost the same as distrust, the way I view the whole world, life, and people are what makes it different. I have a negative perception most of the time.
* Brain fog. This is the hardest symptom to live with. I have problems focusing when I used to be very sharp and attentive to detail. I’m forgetful and really disorganized, even when I’m trying. I almost feel like I’m developing early Alzheimer’s or something, but I know that’s not the case because when I’m working hard to focus, or I’m having an unusually good day, I can retain a lot of details.
* I don’t really think back about the events that led me here that much. I do have memories of it, but it seems I’ve lost a lot of it. I’m sure I avoid thinking about it as well. So there’s that. I don’t want to remember it.
* I sometimes feel numb to life and people, and I hate that. Bad or good, you want to feel something. But I believe that I had to make myself numb so that everything that happened didn’t break me. I have an arsenal of defense mechanisms so those things can’t happen again.
* Unsurprisingly, I get trigger by small but specific things. By triggered, I mean I get angry or defensive and can lash out. I often accuse people of being malicious when deep down I know they aren’t. I always go back to apologize later, but I hate that I do it and want it to stop. I’ve gotten much better over the years, but it still happens if the right button is pressed.
I’m actually high functioning after what I’ve been through, which is childhood SA and physical abuse, and as an adult mental, emotional, verbal, sexual, financial, and at times physical abuse. But when I got a divorce, I didn’t go straight to alcohol and drugs, i continued being a good mom, although I wish I spent more time with my son. I went back to school and I have a good paying job and my job is very technical. There are also high mental standards for where I work due to safety. And I hate that is always part of the criteria when we look this stuff up. I know we are more susceptible to substance abuse, but I don’t like that it paints it as pretty much a certainty. That can lead to bad stigma for those who aren’t substance abusers.
While I may be ok in the long run, it’s a battle for me everyday, as I’m sure it is with others with this “condition”. It isn’t something you can easily just talk out or take a pill for. I e tried so many things. The battle is always inside and the pain never lets up.
Anyway, I’m willing to bet that other people with CPTSD can relate to some of my complaints. If you want to know what it’s really like, it shouldn’t be up to a psychologist to determine, it should be up to the reports of people with CPTSD, and the symptoms that don’t match perfectly can all be set aside as something else unless more is revealed on it later. Just my opinion.
Wonderful video
Well done
Wonderful work
Go on
May Allah bless you
Thanks
Bravo!!! Thanks sooo much
Cptsd most certainly does have unstable identity. I have cptsd, and my persona has changed over and over throughout life. I've copied characters from books and movies, friends, classmates, family members etcetera, all without noticing I was doing it for years. If you listen to the experts, they all say that this is a key part of cptsd. Also, suicidality. I've attempted suicide several times throughout my life.
MDMA assisted therapy proving to be effective at treating CPTSD. MAPS non profit showing the data.
Magic mushrooms too, they are more a gentle but effective treatment, ancient plant medicine
Thats so interesting. I've had experiences with MDMA (not in a clinical setting) and I always end up with voices in my head. No idea why. I'm diagnosed with BPD/CPTSD and ADHD. I find coke really helpful though. I feel grounded, focused and emotionally stable. But that's just me though! We're all wired differently
I cannot start on how hurtful it is when trauma chews you out majorly till the point of yet another mental breakdown. And people in your inmediate surroundings tell you to chill out, because your just being "dramatic" because of your borderline.
Iike really?! I'm sorry for being "dramatic" because of being heavily abused most of my life. Which left my mind broken and my life in shambles.... yeah those breakdowns are dramatic, but i wish it was so simple as (no disrespect intended) borderline. If it would be that, i'll be fine in a few hours.
But this thing constanly creeps on, deeper and darker by the day. And it will not let you go for a moment....
Keeping my mouth shut and suffer in silence or keep my distance from socialising is the less troublesome way to deal with this. Seeing ppl will misunderstand. Or get unhappy once they notice you are not BS-en around and are genuige in distress 24/7, 365 days a year.
There's still hope for you, I've been abused and had therapy sessions and nothing worked until a friend introduced me to psychedelic shrooms
Since then my life has changed up till now
I do get mine from whitney_mycology,
On Instagram,,
@@MillieFalcone. Thank you for your kind words 🫂
Is pathological lying a symptom❔
For those of you confused about Complex PTSD and its definition, listen to Dr Diane Langberg.
She's an expert on the subject and explains quite well what this Dx is.
The video provides very useful information, but I find it a bit difficult to follow
thank you!
2:45 this looks really funny to me
✅ interesting video
C PTSD IS PTSD ON STEROIDS
What about LSD?
Its quantum interdimentional trauma that transcends time and space.
I like this video but I really wish people would stop comparing BPD to CPTSD.
BPD has a noted genetic element. CPTSD is caused by the environment you grow up in. People with CPTSD have physical symptoms of PTSD, people with BPD don’t. Nightmares are a chronic part of CPTSD, not so much BPD.
CPTSD can ramp up to DID, BPD can’t.
Walker Betty Lopez Cynthia Davis Jose
CPTSD is PTSD on steroids. A lot of steroids. You can attempt to clinically describe it, but it can be as different as humans are. Kind of like a spectrum, like autism. And, yes, i have both. You can learn to deal with it and compensate, but you carry it with you throughout your life. Im 60 now and doing better, but its still there.
...I call it, PCCSD: Post Chronic-Crap Stress Disorder -
I used to have PTSD and anxiety and depression untill I started microdosing. Started using psychedelic shrooms
So glad you've found something that works for you! I have CPTSD and QBPD and I do the same thing with MDMA. The only time my mind feels completely free and at peace.
@@1968leg you should try some shrooms then.
holy shit i might get help
I actually think it’s clear CPSD is someone who has had consistent abuse over time as opposed to one or a narrow amount of time with trauma. It shows the struggles of someone who had sustained trauma. Trust me no one cares
As I grew up only in abuse I struggle to be. CPTSD. Is literally dx separate from bipolar and should have been a way to stop dx people who have been a victim over time and hopefully help. I disagree with this video.
The fact he links books about psychiatry and biology at the end is amazing.
He put CPTSD in categories of bipolar and manic depression. No chronic means ongoing. Post traumatic stress means we struggle after an event. God help us who ask for help. They get it wrong and it’s why people who just need security end up on 18 medications because they were raped daily for 10 years. I just want to know the justice.
Nah, I have cptsd, but I'm definitely not like those bpd losers that lie and cheat.
I have bpd. And I never lie or cheat
@niniyb8505 sure sure...
@@maqwet4643 ok well…. I’m def not a loser💕
@@niniyb8505 it's okay, you are a pretty lady
It’s too bad it was given the name CPTSD as it conflicts with the general definition of PTSD. The politics and debate around this distract from the real need to identify and treat this.
Perhaps “Complex Trauma” would be a better name for it.
Agreed
Good point!
Memorable lecturer 🤔 who decides the titles 😂
I ended up more confused :(
do more research and revise this video.
If you are such an expert, explain specifically why you are saying this.
Seeing as you did not do this to begin with, I assume you have no idea what you are talking about.
On Instagram,,
resources on instagram: @breakthecycle_coaching @themindbodyman @breakingdowncptsd @theanxietymd @thecanvaswithin
Thanks alot. I find the pages helpful.
I have had more than 800 trauma At earliest recolection.emdr helps but all fail to reinforce any treatment for followup
Keep going don't give up