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The mysterious symptoms of CPTSD: Why does it affect emotions and relationships?
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) is a stress-related psychological and behavioral disorder that often results from ongoing traumatic experiences. These traumas are often ongoing or recurring events that leave victims feeling unable to escape. According to the latest International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), CPTSD is classified as a type of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and has three additional important symptom groups: affective dysregulation, negative self-beliefs, and interpersonal difficulties.
"Symptoms of CPTSD include persistent feelings of fear, worthlessness, helplessness, distorted identity or sense of self, and hypervigilance."
For many people, the effects of CPTSD go beyond the immediate response to a traumatic experience and go deep into the emotional and interpersonal roots. Emotional dysregulation can make it difficult for individuals to safely establish and maintain relationships, while negative self-beliefs deepen the ability to distance themselves from others. This distortion of emotion and identity may leave victims emotionally confused and even desperate.
Influence on children and adolescents
For children and adolescents, the effects of CPTSD can be more profound. Research shows that children facing ongoing trauma, such as abuse or domestic violence, may develop symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder, but they are not well understood.
"The concept of developmental trauma disorder (DTD) was developed to better describe the impact of multiple traumatic experiences on children."
Studies indicate that these children's emotional regulation problems resulting from ongoing trauma exposure, as well as difficulties trusting others and forming healthy relationships, may have serious consequences for their future social skills and mental health. What kind of support do we need for these young people facing trauma to help them build stable emotional connections?
Adult Challenges
In adults, the roots of CPTSD often can be traced to childhood trauma. These early traumas can have lasting effects on a person's sense of self and perception of others. As a result, adults often experience difficulties in forming close relationships with others due to insecure attachments.
"Patients with CPTSD often face persistent personality disorders and are at high risk for revictimization."
This insecurity further leads to emotional isolation and withdrawal, making it difficult for individuals to trust others and maintain long-term, stable relationships. What kind of environment do patients need to safely discuss their traumatic histories while seeking help and treatment?
Challenges in diagnosis and therapy
In terms of diagnosis, CPTSD is not officially recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. This makes it difficult for many victims to obtain adequate diagnosis and treatment guidance when seeking help. Not only that, but the process of treating CPTSD is more complicated than treating general PTSD.
"Treatment for CPTSD often needs to focus on emotional regulation, interpersonal difficulties, and how to re-create self-identity."
The effectiveness of treatment therefore relies heavily on the professional's understanding and their sensitivity to this particular disorder. How do you create a safe environment in therapy for patients who have experienced trauma in the past so that they dare to open up?
Conclusion
The symptoms and effects of CPTSD are not limited to an individual’s internal struggles, but also have a profound impact on their emotions and relationships. For those struggling with traumatic experiences, it is critical to understand the origins of these effects and their associated complexities. In the future, we need to think about: How can we better support those who are overcoming CPTSD and help them re-establish a complete emotional connection and trust?
