*Contains Abuse* Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
 

I've been told that C-PTSD describes things I'm experiencing quite well. I think it's a better fit than the BPD I am actually diagnosed with, but I don't think I've ever been formally diagnosed with it (the C-PTSD).

I think BPD can at times have a lot of stigma attached, and many professionals prefer to use a label which has fewer pejorative views towards it. One that's less blaming on the person and more on the series of traumas, if that makes sense.

I was just gonna make a thread on this, lol.

I'm finding the usual techniques for dealing with PTSD are not as effective anymore. Did you get given any tips to help you deal witht eh symptoms?

My psychiatrist first mentioned this to me when I left my family home. When I first heard of it I thought it was mainly concerning people who have been held hostage or tortured or something. But he explained that PTSD becomes complex when the victim is placed in a traumatic, often abusive, environment with no hope or way of escape. And the loss of safety and trust.


He said that in my case I had been placed in an abusive environment but it was made more manipulative and traumatic because the person who was the most emotionally abusive to me would now and then offer a little bit of love. Like a hug. Or a present. And then go right back to manipulating and playing mind games. I think that made more impact on me than the sexual abuse.

I didn't think much of it until my psychologist brought it up again and she helped me go over some of the PTSD techniques for coping with flashbacks and dissociation. But they're not very effective, and she thinks it's because the complex nature of the trauma makes the dissociation and loss of sense of self - so she said I should tell my psychiatrist in August.


Did your psychiatrist explain why he thought it was an appropriate diagnosis? Did he explain where it stemmed from and what will help you?

Well done for reaching out :D

My therapist and I have discussed this, as it fits me to a 't'. But I'm not medically diagnosed with it.
In my case it all started with my traumatic birth, then living between parental domestic violence with emotional/psychological abuse [and emotional neglect] at home, then quite severe physical and emotional abuse by my peers for 10 years - all situations which carried out every day and from which there was no escape. Then some burglaries, and then re-traumatisation of the childhood stuff when teaching young children.

I'd suggest you have a look at 'Trauma and Recovery' by Judith Herman. There's reputedly several phases of recovery.

When I came out of hospital I was diagnosed with this by a psych. Heexplained that although it's not a formal thing it fits me better than PTSD on it's own. I'm also diagnosed with bpd though.

It makes sense for me although the care plan med wise never really happened because I got pregnant.

Meaculpa-EMDR is a recognised treatment and the forces are investing in it.

^ I shall research it, thanks :)

I'm on the waiting list for emdr. I'm also having mindfulness which is helping ith thr dissociation.

Insightful people. Tell me more about EMDR

To be honest I'm not entirely sure how it works myself! It's something about making memories safer by using repetitive movements. I like the idea of it because uou don't have to say the memory out loud just think it whilst watching these little red dots moving from side to side.

You do have to be ready to face it though. The pysch who will be doing mine told me it was hard work ad at the time I was too unstable for it. She said all I'll want to do afterwards is sleep. The mindfulness has helped me dissociate less which is important for emdr as there's no point if I'm off in my head somewhere.

I bought a book on it though I can't remember IRS name but it might be worth looking o play or something.

I had to say what I thought aloud. You spend the first sessions setting up a 'safe place' in your mind. You watch the lights and then go over whatever you have decided to talk about and then you stop and it leads on to another thought. It is linked to the way your mind works during REM sleep and helps you to reprocess memories.

I have been diagnosed with that. My Psychologist offered to do some EMDR with me, but it's kinda complicated due to me being a multiple. ah the joys

Thanks for all your replies everyone.

My counsellor has given me a few tips to help me deal with the symptoms, but it's still a constant struggle. My team has been trying to get me in to a program to help me for ages but everything keeps falling apart (the program I've waited a year and half for is not running anymore, another program that's been suggested goes against my beliefs, other things that have been suggested don't suit either). :(

They believe that, although I haven't formally been diagnosed with C-PTSD, as I was sexually, physically, mentally and verbally abused from a very young age that this would be a suitable diagnosis.

It just absolutely sucks that I can't get the treatment I need! :'(

What kind of treatment do you need?

Ive been diagnosed with c-ptsd i dont know why its not in the dsm i havent got much treatment on the lines of the therapy etc that you're suppossed to get. The treatment you want is something you're going to have to fight for im afraid, just keep up the fight, use the help you already have and keep going.

My team has wanted me to do a Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) program since January 2010 but it was only offered in other towns and they don’t accept people from surrounding areas. They said it would be starting in my town this year, I’ve been told multiple times that it’s starting in a certain month, then that month comes and goes, or that it’s starting soon. But a few weeks ago a member of my team told me there was another spanner in the works and not to bank on it even starting this year. One of the many reasons I deferred from TAFE this year was because my team advised me that I should do that in order to take part in this program. Then the other day she told me it will never happen. I’m feeling rather disheartened with the mental health system at the moment, particularly living in a rural area. The programs and treatments available are very limited. I feel like just giving up, what's the point when every door just keeps getting slammed in my face?

If you aren't getting the service that you need, then maybe you could contact PALS?

Sorry but I'm not familiar with that, what does it stand for and what do they do?

Realised you're not in England, so wasn't helpful advice. Sorry.