PTSD or C-PTSD? Understanding trauma conditions and how they’re treated

A recent Instagram post sparked a wave of engagement and important questions: “How do I know if I have PTSD or Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)?”, “What’s the difference?” and “Does it change how I get help?”

While PTSD and C-PTSD may sound similar, it’s really important to know the difference so that you can get the support you need.

What Is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that is caused by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event such as a serious accident, assault or disaster.
According to the DSM-5 (the international standard classification of mental health conditions), a diagnosis of PTSD would mean that you experience symptoms from all four of the following groups:
Intrusion: Unwanted memories, nightmares or flashbacks
Avoidance: Steering clear of trauma-related thoughts or reminders
Negative alterations in cognition and mood: Persistent negative beliefs, guilt or emotional numbness
Arousal and reactivity: Hypervigilance, irritability or sleep disturbances
These symptoms must last for more than a month and cause significant distress or impairment.

What Is Complex PTSD?
Complex PTSD (C-PTSD), on the other hand, arises from prolonged or repeated trauma, often during childhood or within relationships. Examples include ongoing abuse, neglect or captivity.
While it shares core PTSD symptoms, C-PTSD includes additional challenges:
Affective dysregulation: Difficulty managing emotions
Negative self-concept: Persistent feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Interpersonal difficulties: Struggles with trust, intimacy or maintaining relationships
C-PTSD is not recognised in the DSM-5 as a separate mental health condition, although another classification system does (the ICD-11, published by the World Health Organisation). Depending on where you are in the world, this distinction could affect diagnosis and treatment options.

How Common Are PTSD and C-PTSD?
In the UK, about 1 in 10 people are expected to experience PTSD at some point in their lives. At any given time, approximately 4 in 100 people are living with PTSD. Rates are higher among certain groups:
Veterans: 7.4%
Healthcare workers: Up to 25.4% during high-stress periods like the COVID-19 pandemic
While exact figures for C-PTSD are less clear due to diagnostic differences, it's understood that individuals exposed to prolonged trauma are at higher risk.
Understanding whether you're experiencing PTSD or C-PTSD is vital because it influences treatment approaches. While both conditions are serious, they manifest differently and require tailored interventions. At Taproot Psychology we work with trauma survivors of all kinds.

Treatment Approaches
For PTSD:
Trauma-focused therapy such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Helps reframe negative thoughts and reduce avoidance behaviours
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR): Assists in processing traumatic memories
Medication: Antidepressants may be prescribed to help manage symptoms

For C-PTSD:
Phase-based therapy: Focuses on establishing safety, processing trauma and integrating experiences
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): Addresses emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness
Attachment Focused Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR): Explores how to heal relational hurt and wounding
Long-term support: Builds trust and self-worth over time
At Taproot Psychology, we recognize the uniqueness of each individual's experience. Our approach is collaborative, ensuring that treatment plans are tailored to your specific needs and circumstances.
Whether you're dealing with PTSD or C-PTSD, your experiences and feelings are valid. Healing is possible and support is available. If you're uncertain about your symptoms or diagnosis, consider contacting a mental health professional who can guide you through the assessment and treatment process.

For more information or to book a consultation, contact us at Taproot Psychology today.