Understanding Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)

Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) is a psychological response to ongoing, repeated, or long-term trauma, especially when the trauma occurs within relationships where the person feels trapped, powerless, or unsafe.

Unlike single-incident trauma (such as a car accident or natural disaster), complex trauma typically develops over time. It often involves interpersonal trauma, particularly in childhood or within close relationships.

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Common Causes of Complex Trauma

Complex PTSD can develop following experiences such as:

• Childhood emotional, physical, or sexual abuse

• Chronic neglect

• Growing up in a highly critical, unpredictable, or unsafe environment

• Domestic violence

• Long-term bullying

• Coercive control or emotionally abusive relationships

• Prolonged exposure to fear, shame, or helplessness

Many people minimise their experiences, believing “others had it worse.” However, trauma is not about what happened — it is about how the nervous system experienced and adapted to survive.

Symptoms of Complex PTSD

In addition to the symptoms of PTSD (such as flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance), people with C-PTSD often experience:

Emotional & Internal Struggles

• Chronic shame, guilt, or self-blame

• Persistent feelings of emptiness or worthlessness

• Difficulty regulating emotions

• Anxiety and/or depression

• Emotional overwhelm or emotional numbness

  
  

Relationship Difficulties

• Fear of abandonment or rejection

• Difficulty trusting others

• People-pleasing or over-functioning

• Intense fear of conflict

• Patterns of unhealthy or unsafe relationships

Sense of Self

• Deeply negative self-beliefs

• Feeling broken, defective, or unlovable

• Difficulty knowing who you truly are

• Feeling disconnected from your body or emotions

Nervous System Dysregulation

• Constant alertness or feeling “on edge”

• Exhaustion and burnout

• Sleep difficulties

• Somatic symptoms (headaches, gut issues, chronic tension)

Why Complex PTSD Often Goes Unrecognised

Many individuals with C-PTSD appear high-functioning, capable, and successful. They may:

• Work extremely hard

• Care for others before themselves

• Strive for perfection

• Push through exhaustion

This often masks deep internal distress. As a result, many people are misdiagnosed with anxiety, depression, or personality difficulties — without recognising the underlying trauma-driven nervous system patterns.

Healing from Complex PTSD

Recovery is absolutely possible. Healing involves more than simply talking about events — it requires gentle, structured, trauma-informed therapy that supports nervous system regulation, emotional processing, and rebuilding a healthy sense of self.

Effective trauma therapies may include:

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)

• Schema Therapy

• DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy)

• Parts-based approaches

• Somatic and nervous system-focused interventions

Therapy focuses on:

• Creating safety

• Stabilising emotions

• Building self-compassion

• Processing traumatic memories

• Developing healthy boundaries and relationships

Healing is not about “fixing what is broken” — it is about helping your nervous system learn that life can now be safer.

When to Seek Support

If you notice long-standing emotional distress, relationship struggles, chronic anxiety, or deep self-criticism, it may be helpful to explore whether complex trauma is playing a role.

Seeking therapy is not a sign of weakness — it is a courageous step toward healing, self-understanding, and emotional freedom.

You Are Not Broken — You Adapted to Survive

Many people with complex trauma are incredibly resilient, compassionate, and strong. The patterns that cause distress today once protected you. With the right support, these patterns can gently soften, allowing you to live with greater peace, connection, and authenticity.