Although Complex PTSD is a fairly new concept, there is a lot of research out there regarding it. I was just wondering on a basic level what the differences between PTSD and Complex PTSD are? Are there any distinguishing factors that leads to either diagnosis?
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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are terrifying experiences that follows an awful experience like accident, armed robbery attack,, rape or any dark moments/circumstances. It is usually characterized by flashbacks, nightmares and even informs an individual to avoid contact with anything similar or in actual fact, correlates with the past events.
Complex PTSD comes as a result of repeated trauma over a long period of time, it is more complex/severe than PTSD. It is characterized by the symptoms of PTSD alongside severe symptoms and not been able to move forward after a long time.
PTSD SYMPTOMS
Staying away from certain situations or environments
Somatic Symptoms
3. Hyperarousal
CPSTD SYMPTOMS
Absence of emotional regulations
perceiving self in a negative light
Changes in consciousness
Having difficulties in ones relationship, etc
A patient may be diagnosed with CPTSD if observed to be experiencing a long-term trauma for some months/years. Meanwhile, Researchers hands are on desk on figuring out how a PTSD affects people mentally thereby leading to CPTSD.