[seeker33]

I accidentally saw this definition and I don't agree that most people are like this. In fact, people who are victims of childhood abuse tend to be shy, anxious and people pleasers. So I was surprised when I read this

Complex PTSD (sometimes called “Disorder of Extreme Stress”) is found among individuals who have been exposed to prolonged traumatic circumstances, especially during childhood, such as childhood sexual abuse. These individuals often are diagnosed with borderline or antisocial personality disorder or dissociative disorders. They exhibit behavioral difficulties (such as impulsivity, aggression, sexual acting out, eating disorders, alcohol or drug abuse, and self-destructive actions), extreme emotional difficulties (such as intense rage, depression, or panic) and mental difficulties (such as fragmented thoughts, dissociation, and amnesia). The treatment of such patients often takes much longer, may progress at a much slower rate, and requires a sensitive and highly structured treatment program delivered by a team of trauma specialists.

[Daisy Dead Petals]

I feel that the mental health field overlooks people who are quiet or "act in." There have been many times in therapy with different therapists that I have felt taken less seriously than others because I'm not an addict, criminal, or cutter.

[Thirty shades]

Maybe this is why they find it hard to diagnose people with CPTSD. It would seem they don't understand that many of us are decent people dealing with trauma.

[seeker33]

So true! I understand those who do struggle with aggression, substance abuse etc. They deserve help.
But it feels invalidating when just because someone is quiet, shy and able to work they assume such a person is fine and not really a problem. I think we deserve to have our own diagnosis which would validate us.
Long term feelings of not fitting in, of desperate trying to be exactly as everyone else and do all your duties 100% because you're afraid people are going to hate you for not being perfect... These are all real problems but they are reluctant to acknowledge them because they can't be observed from the outside and it doesn't seem it could cause problems. Well what if being these "good people" is actually more exhausting than being antisocial?
I really do hope that cptsd will be recognised and it will be acknowledged that you can suffer from it even if you don't have visual flashbacks and don't have outbursts of rage.

[Coraline23]

That definition doesn't fit me at all, but I'm not shy either. I just pack it all down and strive for perfection. I'm not saying that's healthy either, but I seem very put together from the outside. I have a good job and good relationships. Just a lot of inner turmoil.

[amandalouise]

my own opinion is that many locations call and define complex PTSD in many different ways.

example here in america we do not have the diagnostic ..........name....... called CPTSD. here its more individualized where one persons CPTSD symptoms are called one thing and another person who may have the same CPTSD symptoms its called something different. it all depends on each persons own history, experiences, test scores, problem areas, and other symptoms that people do not usually know about because its something non professionals know about the disorder.

just because here in america we have different names for what other places and people call CPTSD doesnt mean we dont have it.

I think of it like a cold. some places call a cold upper respiratory disease, others call it a cold and still others call it by the technical medical terms nasopharyngitis, rhinopharyngitis, acute coryza ..... CPTSD has many names and problems associated with it.

Im guessing who ever wrote that article may have statistics and other information that some may not have or they are going according to what CPTSD is in the writers own location.

my point its not up to me to agree or disagree with that. I just go according to my own treatment provider and what my own symptoms and problems are because of my CPTSD (or as my treatment provider calls it Acute Stress Disorder.)

[cptsdwhoa]

Hmm...I'm not sure. Perhaps for some they do experience some of these more aggressive symptoms? I have heard of the dissociation aspect. I think I may dissociate to a degree. I was especially as a child and teen. I was a daydreamer extraordinaire.

Lily Hope Lucario talks about it on her site: Healing Complex Trauma & PTSD | Dissociation

[Thirty shades]

Originally Posted by cptsdwhoa

Hmm...I'm not sure. Perhaps for some they do experience some of these more aggressive symptoms? I have heard of the dissociation aspect. I think I may dissociate to a degree. I was especially as a child and teen. I was a daydreamer extraordinaire.

Lily Hope Lucario talks about it on her site: Healing Complex Trauma & PTSD | Dissociation

Thank you for posting this site. I will have a good read.

Best wishes

[cptsdwhoa]

Originally Posted by Thirty shades

Maybe this is why they find it hard to diagnose people with CPTSD. It would seem they don't understand that many of us are decent people dealing with trauma.

This makes me wonder if there is also a lack of understanding about trauma and it's causes. I know I certainly (until learning about my own Cptsd) didn't understand trauma.

[cptsdwhoa]

Originally Posted by Thirty shades

Thank you for posting this site. I will have a good read.

Best wishes

You're welcome!

[MtnTime2896]

I fit the definition to a degree. The aggression (bouts of irritability and sometimes rage) is definitely a part of what I deal with.

I think you said it pretty good already, so I don't feel like I need to say anymore.

[seeker33]

Yes I'm a little irritable from time to time but I think my main aggression goes inside, towards myself.
Last week I imagined beating and kicking my inner child because I was a bad spoiled and tantrum throwing kid.

[cptsdwhoa]

Originally Posted by seeker33

Yes I'm a little irritable from time to time but I think my main aggression goes inside, towards myself.
Last week I imagined beating and kicking my inner child because I was a bad spoiled and tantrum throwing kid.

Hmm, I think I may be like this too, or I've at least felt it. I keep forgetting about violence (or aggression) against self. Yeah, I can give myself quite the beat down mentally and emotionally. I've dealt with self harm and feeling suicidal.

[Fuzzybear]

[BoBoPeeps]

You're right! It is a terrible definition! The only thing I relate to is the part about disassociation. Maybe when I'm in the middle of a flashback, I could be angry and some of the other stuff, but in normal day to day life, I'm known to be a very sweet, kind person. And I'm definitely a people pleaser - trying to work on that!

[i_Exist]

I agree with the definition personally.

[i_Exist]

I should add, one has to be honest with themselves in regards to how they react to situations that aren't to their liking. Just because you get along great with people is one thing (I get that A LOT). But what people who know me don't see, are my angry outbursts, they don't hear my negative inner critic, etc etc.
I think that definition is %100 bang on.

[cptsdwhoa]

Originally Posted by i_Exist

I should add, one has to be honest with themselves in regards to how they react to situations that aren't to their liking. Just because you get along great with people is one thing (I get that A LOT). But what people who know me don't see, are my angry outbursts, they don't hear my negative inner critic, etc etc.
I think that definition is %100 bang on.

Hmm...actually, now that you mention it I think I agree that it is spot on. I read the definition again, and if I take a nice long look at myself I see a lot of me in that definition. For example, I've never been diagnosed, but I would say I've struggled with an eating disorder. I'm not outwardly angry especially towards others. However, like you mentioned, people would be shocked at my thoughts and negative inner critic. Those thoughts of self violence can be intense on myself.