Do We Heal from CPTSD?
In recent years, PTSD, CPTSD or Complex post-traumatic stress disorder and Attachment or Developmental Disorder have received much more deserved attention due to the impact they have had on veterans. I speak and write on this particular blog in the role of a trauma-informed therapist treating trauma. I discuss what PTSD is, any existing medications for CPTSD, and specifically what CPTSD means. See also c-ptsd, which is also known as an Attachment or Developmental Disorder. The term we’re discussing in this Holistic Coaching International blog is Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (or Complex PTSD, which is sometimes abbreviated to define c-PTSD as or as CPTSD). People really need help with therapy to treat their trauma.
CPTSD vs PTSD-Covid 19 Pandemic
Also, discussed is CPTSD vs PTSD as well as its causes. Additionally, living day to-day with complex PTSD and the associated triggers. You might be exploring helpful medications and other healing techniques to enable you to better understand and navigate this disorder. You might be looking for different answers to questions, such as, can PTSD go away? Unfortunately, for families, terms such as PTSD are often associated with domestic violence simply because they’re all too often misunderstood or misdiagnosed within the household. I believe during Covid 19, the deployment of the Covid vaccine, as well as the isolation that has occurred during this pandemic, has been quite detrimental to those suffering from mental illness. This includes C-PTSD, which is why I say we really need to be aggressively treating this trauma. This is equally awful for those suffering from developmental disorder or developmental disability too.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness
The National Center for PTSD declared all of June 2021 to be PTSD Awareness month. In addition, National PTSD Awareness Day is celebrated annually on June 27th. In support, let’s all wear a teal-colored ribbon for PTSD as it is the official color. It would be great to be united in Treating Complex post-traumatic.
Sierra Tucson-Premier Treatment Center
Recently, I attended training on “Trauma, Adversity, and Healing” presented by the renowned Dr. James Seymour, Psychiatrist and Director of the Chrysalis Program at Sierra Tucson Residential Treatment Facility for Trauma and Addictions. Sierra Sierra Tucson
For more information, see Sierra Tucson Admissions Video
Dr. Seymour-Two main goals for healing from trauma:
1. Improved quality of life
2. Improved daily functioning
Some of the objectives include:
Recognizing trauma is not my fault.
Improved regulation of emotions and the ability to experience and tolerate a variety of emotions, including joy
Reduction in shame
Improved ability to form healthy relationships with others and ability to trust others.
Increased mindfulness and self-awareness
Decreased at-risk behavior such as cutting and suicide attempts
Dr. Seymour-Post Traumatic Stress Response
He also shared a new perspective on PTSD. According to a new perspective in the field of trauma, PTSD should not be treated as a disorder, but rather as a NORMAL adaptation and the response of the nervous system to trauma. So instead of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, we should use Post Traumatic Stress RESPONSE. We are actually not treating the trauma (clients survived traumatic events), but we assist in the recovery of the effects of trauma. We need to change our coping mechanisms.
Unfortunately, at this time, DSM V does not have a category to describe what is, in many cases, developmental/attachment trauma related to childhood abuse and neglect.
It is also interesting to note that he also emphasizes using mind-body modalities such as dancing, singing, drumming, reiki, yoga, and breathing to increase joy and social engagement.
Trauma-informed therapist-two decades
My name is Mateja Petje. I’m a trauma-informed therapist as well as a CPTSD sufferer. In addition, I’m also the CEO of Holistic Coaching International. Frankly, I realize I’m in a very unique position here writing to you as the author of this blog. I say this as we’re discussing Attachment or Developmental Disorders or even other mental health issues. However, when you speak specifically about complex post-traumatic stress disorder, it is an interesting fact! I suffer firsthand from CPTSD, so I can recognize CPTSD symptoms all too well.
My Most Comprehensive Trauma Blog
But, I also tend to believe this is a disorder that many more people suffer from than we realize. This blog about complex post-traumatic stress disorder is now the most comprehensive blog I’ve written, I believe, on any subject matter. It is the most researched article on this disorder I’ve written purposely too. One of the reasons I have taken the time to write such an in-depth article about CPTSD is because this is actually the main focus of my practice. This is my “passion work”. Treating trauma in my clients. The takeaway here is my unique perspective and training. This is a very authoritative blog written by a person, myself, who suffers directly from this disorder.
Mateja Petje Trauma-Informed-Good News
The good news is, I’m also in a position as a clinician, a trauma-informed therapist with nearly two decades of service, to give my modern-day opinion first hand. This is a very unique situation from this perspective, and even more so when you include all my extensive training in numerous other modalities as well. I’ve helped countless people heal from trauma, Attachment or Developmental Disorder and so much more. Maybe I can help you too.
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Are you interested in working with me on your C-PTSD or Attachment or Developmental Disorder or in some other capacity? Contact me and let’s talk to see if we would be a good fit for one another. I offer a 15-minute free consultation during business hours. We can determine if I can help you. Visit my website to learn more about my ideal clients. Read testimonials from my clients and navigate my website to access all the great free tools to assist you with PTSD, anxiety, and so much more.
Thanks so much for reading my blog! Please tell me if you found it helpful in the comments below. I look forward to speaking with you.
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Complex PTSD or c-PTSD-Early childhood
Complex PTSD or c-PTSD is oftentimes caused by childhood abuse, neglect, and traumatic events, usually in early childhood. I also discuss the best and most effective treatment options for c-PTSD. Ultimately, I hope to help define CPTSD by shedding more light on this very important disorder. I am myself a trauma survivor and have made it my mission to help others heal as well.
“Many survivors grew up in houses that were not homes, in families that were as loveless as orphanages and sometimes as dangerous. (Pete Walker, M.A., MFT, Complex PTSD, “From Surviving to Thriving).
Pete Walker-“From Surviving to Thriving”
According to Pete Walker, in his book titled Complex PTSD, “From Surviving to Thriving”, p. 22, in the case of C-PTSD, “due to abuse/neglect, several key developmental tasks have not been met and individuals have not been able to develop a secure attachment to their parents/caregivers.”
The reason Complex PTSD occurs in children is that children are not yet able to develop a secure attachment with their parents or caregivers. This inability to develop attachment is also known as an Attachment or Developmental Disorder.
2013 Revised PTSD Diagnostic Criteria
In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association revised the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder diagnostic criteria. This is in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is included in a new category in DSM-5, Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders. Full copyrighted criteria are available from the American Psychiatric Association. Here I just list a few. Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) has not been included in DSMS as a separate disorder as of now. Even though, in my opinion, it should be as it presents a unique set of challenges.
PTSD can refer to a single traumatic event or several traumatic events throughout life that have a cumulative effect.
Traumatic Event Examples:
1. Childhood abuse/trauma/neglect
2. Being in an abusive relationship (s)
3. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, fires
4. Witnessing a violent crime
5. Sexual assault
6. Divorce or death
7. Illnesses, such as traumatic brain injury
8. Being in combat where one experiences or witnesses death and violence
Diagnosed with PTSD
To be diagnosed with PTSD, the person was exposed to death, threatened death, actual or threatened serious injury, or actual or threatened sexual violence, or similar, including any kind of abuse or domestic violence, experiencing it directly or indirectly by observing it.
Typical symptoms include nightmares, flashbacks, emotional distress, and intrusive thoughts.
For a person to meet the criteria for Post-traumatic stress disorder-mental disorder, the symptoms need to last at least a month. They also experience distress and functional impairment in several key areas of life, such as social and occupational.
Traumatic Memories remain locked & hidden
It is vital to keep in mind several things with respect to triggers related to trauma. The first is that traumatic memories remain locked & hidden away in our bodies. This is why traditional “talk” therapy is just not enough. Bessel van der Kolk describes this process in his book “Body Keeps the Score.”