There is no such thing as a straightforward trauma and this applies even more when regarding CPTSD. Each and every trauma has its own complexity.
Being in a (car) accident may seem more straightforward in terms of trauma therapy, but the nervous system’s responses are extremely complex and are very dependent on what you have gone through previously.
You can go through a severe accident and rebound fairly well; or, you can you go through a traumatic event and be absolutely devastated afterward because of an already present history of childhood abuse or neglect.
Having a traumatic history will further impact you, and the traumatic event might be the last drop in the bucket that leads to CPTSD.
CPTSD and its Relationship to Childhood Trauma
Most complex post-traumatic stress disorder is caused by repeated exposure to traumatic events or episodes which often relate to childhood experiences. This kind of trauma might also referred to as developmental trauma disorder.
There is no such thing as a straightforward trauma and this applies even more when regarding Complex PTSD. Each and every trauma has its own complexity.
Trauma has a certain set of defined reflexes in terms of the nervous system and psychological responses. There is a sense of helplessness and loss of control which is infused with a core emotion of anger, sadness or fear. From there, the surplus of unrestrained energy further dissociates into a coping emotion and coping mechanisms.
When we talk of multiple episodes and traumatic incidents, as in CPTSD, then you also get a variety of set survival reflexes imprinted onto your nervous system and psyche.
How It Can Go from Bad to Worse: CPTSD
Let me highlight this with an example:
Karuna is an unplanned, unwanted child by both parents. Her father is never there for her, and her mother is nagging and overbearing. Karuna has learned that it is best to passively hold still and keep quiet.
Her overwhelming core emotion is deep sadness at not being noticed, loved, nourished, or wanted. Her coping emotion is fear of openly speaking up and being openly vulnerable. With this pattern set in her psyche, she enters adolescence.
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She gets into a situation where she is with a man, and although she doesn’t consent to have sex with him emotionally, she is unable to speak out and stop him. The experience turns out to be very upsetting for her. Furthermore, this experience really topples her delicate emotional balance, and develops into full-blown CPTSD with severe symptoms of depression, dissociation, and hypervigilance.
CPTSD and The Complexity of Multiple Trauma
When working with CPTSD clients, you have to be aware that there are multiple traumatic incidents or episodes at play. As a therapist, you have to be able to differentiate between what connects with what as the different feelings, emotions, and time periods will often interconnect with one another, making treatment of Complex Trauma or CPTTSD all the more arduous.
You can certainly work through complex post-traumatic disorder and trauma. It is hard work, and it won’t be easy, but the payoffs are more than worth.
Do you have CPTSD or complex post-traumatic stress disorder? Leave your comments below.