CPTSD vs PTSD?

I was recently diagnosed with complex PTSD by my therapist. She says that though it is not in the current DSM, it will be in the next one, as there is extremely strong evidence supporting it's existence out there.

I was reading through some stuff online, but I don't quite understand the difference between CPTSD and PTSD. Or even what the treatments are. I also have BPD, and the symptom list for CPTSD is very similar to that of BPD, though my therapist says I have both.

So I'm just all around confused and was wondering if someone could help? ^^;

I wasn't aware there was a difference until now. I found a few articles that go into CPTSD in some detail and suggest treatment methods. The main differences are that PTSD is caused by a single, severe traumatic event, CPTSD is caused by a repetition of similar traumatizing events over time and seems to involve experiences of powerlessness and abandonment.

These articles are REALLY detailed (especially the first):

http://www.pete-walker.com/managingA...Depression.htm
http://healmyptsd.com/2011/01/comple...treatment.html
http://www.borderlinepersonalitydiso...mplex-ptsd.htm

These are more of an overview:

http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/...mplex-ptsd.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complex...tress_disorder
http://ptsd.about.com/od/ptsdbasics/a/ComplexPTSD.htm

I hope this helps (((Aanga)))

Complex PTSD is usually when there was ongoing/chronic stress rather than a "clear" incident (like being a soldier in war), where the problem(s) were not addressed at the time.

PTSD is an anxiety problem whereas BPD is a underlying personality disorder. Not all people with BPD have had a difficult, stressful childhood like you apparently have.

Your therapist is probablyw rognt hat C-PTSD will be in the next DSM. I looked all over the DSM5 site and couldn't find it. It seems as far as I know that C-PTSD is really an extension from regular PTSD with distrubances is self-image, concept of others, etc., whereas indeed BPD is a personality disorder. There is lots of overlap however so tha tmakes iq uite likely you have both.