What is Complex PTSD

This content was reviewed and approved by Angela Nicole Gilbert, APRN, PMHNP-BC.

What Is Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD)?

Complex post-traumatic stress disorder is closely related to post-traumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder. It is a mental health condition that can result from chronic stress or trauma, such as experiencing ongoing domestic violence or child abuse.

This article defines CPTSD as compared to PTSD, lists CPTSD symptoms and explains how doctors treat complex PTSD, including tips for coping with CPTSD.

If you or someone you know is living with CPTSD, it’s crucial to understand that it can be treated.

What Is the Difference Between CPTSD and PTSD?

CPTSD and PTSD are different in a few ways. First, they have different causes. PTSD is typically the result of short-term trauma, such as being in a vehicle accident or natural disaster. Repeated exposure to trauma causes CPTSD.

Second, PTSD can develop from an experience at any age, whereas CPTSD typically results from childhood trauma.

The conditions also vary in severity, with both changing the brain’s chemistry and structure but the changes from CPTSD and associated symptoms being more pronounced. Finally, CPTSD has the core symptoms of PTSD, along with others.

What’s the Difference Between CPTSD and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?

CPTSD and borderline personality disorder have many symptoms in common, including trouble forming lasting relationships and impulsive behavior. Consequently, some experts question whether they are distinct conditions.

However, while CPTSD is caused by childhood trauma, and that can be a factor in BPD, it doesn’t have to be present for BPD to develop.

Causes of CPTSD

Intense events of a threatening nature cause CPTSD. Typically, the events are prolonged, repetitive, or both and are difficult or impossible for the person to escape from.

What are examples of complex trauma? CPTSD causes can include:

• Childhood sexual abuse
• Childhood physical abuse
• Domestic violence
• Torture
• Slavery

How common is CPTSD? Research is ongoing, but experts believe it may affect up to 8% of people worldwide.

Complex PTSD Symptoms

Complex PTSD symptoms include PTSD symptoms, plus others. Core PTSD symptoms include:

• Flashbacks of traumatic events
• Being hyper-aware of danger
• Avoiding places or activities that trigger memories of traumatic events

CPTSD manifests in additional ways, including:

• Feelings of guilt or shame
• Trouble regulating emotions
• Difficulty forming and maintaining healthy relationships

Be aware that symptoms of CPTSD in women may vary somewhat from those in men due to factors like gender-based violence and societal pressures that intensify feelings of shame or guilt.

How Is Complex PTSD Diagnosed?

There is no specific test for CPTSD or a strict list of CPTSD criteria. Instead, doctors base a diagnosis on multiple factors, including the patient’s:

• Medical history
• Mental health history
• Exposure to trauma
• CPTSD episode symptoms

How To Treat CPTSD?

When people ask about how to cure CPTSD, doctors explain that better mental health is possible, but it tends to be more of a continual process than a “cure” in the traditional sense. Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) is the primary treatment for CPTSD. In particular, a form of cognitive behavioral therapy called trauma-focused CBT can be effective.

Therapy is provided by a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist. It focuses on helping the patient learn how their body and mind respond to stress and trauma, how to manage their symptoms and how to identify and address negative thought patterns.

In some cases, this involves exposure therapy. Because people with CPTSD avoid things that trigger stress and fear, they may not learn how to manage those stimuli in healthy ways. Exposure therapy teaches them how to deal with CPTSD more effectively.

There is no medication specifically for CPTSD, but doctors sometimes prescribe antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs or sleep medications to help reduce specific symptoms.

What To Do if You Suspect Complex PTSD

Chronic trauma can have a long-term impact on mental and emotional well-being. Fortunately, treatment can reduce the symptoms.

If you’ve wondered, “What’s CPTSD?” or know what it is and think you have CPTSD symptoms, talk with your primary care doctor. They can help you get the CPTSD resources you need to address your condition.

We encourage you to find a provider in our online directory if you don’t have one and learn more about our behavioral health services.

Important: If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, go to the nearest emergency room or call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Next Steps and Helpful Resources

Learn More About Behavioral Care Services at Baptist Health
How to Identify PTSD: Signs and Symptoms
How Can I Help Someone With PTSD?
How Stress Affects Memory
Understanding Trauma