[Jannaku]

I have C-PTSD, although my psychiatrist or psychologist have never suggested this, and neither has it ever been brought into discussion.

My knowledge of C-PTSD has come from two other credible sources, that have counselled me countless times over the past 12 months. One being an organisation called ASCA (Adult Survivors of Childhood Trauma and Abuse) and the other being 1800Respect which is a counselling service for victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence.

They explained quite clearly what the effects of prolonged, repetitive trauma has on an individual and suggested that this is what I have. As a result of this I began reading and researching independently and found a wealth of information regarding C-PTSD that fully described me and my experiences.

Understanding C-PTSD helps me to manage it. Firstly, I don't think I'm going insane and no longer believe that there is something inherently wrong with me. I now understand that my emotional dysregulation, anxiety and self-harming behaviour is a direct result of the abuse and trauma I experienced for the best part of my life.

I can now more easily see that my reactions are triggered and am therefore able to better manage them ..... sometimes!

It's a very hard journey travelling through life with C-PTSD. I'm really happy to see that it is finally being acknowledged as a separate entity to PTSD. I'll be checking in on this topic more often now.

Love Jannaku xx

[SkyWhite]

Originally Posted by Jannaku

It's a very hard journey travelling through life with C-PTSD. I'm really happy to see that it is finally being acknowledged as a separate entity to PTSD. I'll be checking in on this topic more often now.

I'm where you are. My ptsd came up only this year and feels like emotional and physical torture, but it explains so much as to why my life turned out the way it did. I had no idea what c-ptsd was, but like you said, there's lots of good info about it online. Now that I understand what's wrong, I can manage it better and move forward. But it's a bloody hard road because it can't be cured, it can only be managed.

A few people get hung up on complex ptsd not being an "official" diagnosis, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. It just means they haven't figured out how to list it in the DSM.

For the record my pdoc says I have ptsd, off the record I have cptsd. All the mental health pros know the difference.

[Jannaku]

Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most

I'll second this.

[HazelEyedB]

I have a question...where do I go to start my own forum? I would like to tell my story and see what responses I get. More than anything, I just want to tell my story. I am a survivor of multiple rapes, and assaults. I have dealt with physical and emotional abuse most of my teenage and adult life. I need to know where to post my story because I want it to be where it will help someone else. Like on a rape survivors forum. Thank you.

[nurse8019]

Originally Posted by SkyWhite

I'm where you are. My ptsd came up only this year and feels like emotional and physical torture, but it explains so much as to why my life turned out the way it did. I had no idea what c-ptsd was, but like you said, there's lots of good info about it online. Now that I understand what's wrong, I can manage it better and move forward. But it's a bloody hard road because it can't be cured, it can only be managed.

A few people get hung up on complex ptsd not being an "official" diagnosis, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. It just means they haven't figured out how to list it in the DSM.

For the record my pdoc says I have ptsd, off the record I have cptsd. All the mental health pros know the difference.

Thanks to both of you for sharing this; I really needed to read it! Sometimes it feels so good to see others doing well-good work to you both! Very Encouraging