complex PTSD?

My psychiatrist had diagnosed me with major depresson and complex PTSD. I know what PTSD is. But, what's complex PTSD. Does anyone know what is means.

hi princess4605

it's from repeated trauma as opposed to a one-off trauma ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complex...tress_disorder

I suffer from complex PTSD. In non-complex PTSD, the survivor repeatedly re-lives the trauma in their thoughts. In complex PTSD, the trauma survivor has thoughts of getting back at their tormentors. In my case, I also have thoughts of friends harming me that I constantly have to cognitively challenge as being untrue.

Oh, swell. I think it would be quicker to list maladies that I don't have!

I'm so sorry all of us are having to deal with this. I'm really just learning...way late to the game. I guess I've been a bit 'crazy' (what my family calls it) my entire life. The problem was I never got to deal with my 'crazy' because there was always SOMEBODY around with bigger, more dangerous CRAZY that I had to deal with.

I don't 'think' I want to get back at them...I've never planned anyone's harm or demise....I have trouble letting go of them because I'm compulsive about trying to make them see a few realities and stop the abuse, but that's hopeless, all I wind up doing is *****ing and crying , being called 'crazy', then hiding. So, yeah, I guess that's the only way I have of 'getting even'.

I have tried to convince myself that some of them are not trying to harm me, that it's unrealistic that SO many in my family can be abusive brats.
But every time I do and give them another chance they lie, cheat, steal, insult or threaten all over again. I'm to the point of being afraid of just about everything.

hi, spiderlegs. i can relate to being afraid of everything. and, i can relate to hiding too. my T thinks that my complex PTSD developed in childhood by mean and negligent parents and teachers. i have suspected that i have always been crazy or mentally ill and it's finally being confirmed when i am in my 50's. it is very difficult to deal with. i wish you the best.

Thanks, Guy. I'm in my 60's...getting a late start on all this. Is the 'treatment' for complex any different than for non complex?
I wish you the best as well. It's nice to have this little sanctuary where there is some understanding.

I was Dx with cPTSD a few months back. The diagnosis just "clicked" for me, and I've been working my heart out to heal. It's sooo hard some days.

I am grateful for my P/T and PC. I agree, it is so very nice to have this little sanctuary

I hope you will stay and continue to share and post!

Rose, you are so dear and yes, I plan on staying around PC, it's been very helpful. This morning I am making an appt with a shrink, can't do this on my own because the hits just keep coming every day. I can 'heal' if the trauma would just stop! It's some new horrible thing everyday it seems. Hate the thought of more meds! We all know that self medicating with booze, pot, etc is not good and only delays the healing, but honestly I don't see much difference in that and the 'legal' drugs.....they numb ya too, right?

We'll see! I guess that's why they call it 'practicing medicine'.

I understand about the "hits just keep coming every day".

I got to a point to where when I heard the phone ring, I would feel intense anxiety I was over-saturated and couldn't take one more second.

Even in T, the thought of certain family members calling makes my stomach tightened, I feel sick, and I start panicking (I am so afraid they are going to call me. it's never good news).

Thankfully, they haven't called in awhile.

Anyyyhooo, sorry to go me-me-me...it's you you you! Sending a big hug! We will get through this!

I also have C-PTSD ... Here's another link that may help answer your question ...

http://ptsd.about.com/od/ptsdbasics/a/ComplexPTSD.htm

There is also a book called Trauma & Recovery by Judith Herman ... She's the Doctor who first identified the differences between the two ... She's struggling mightily to get it listed in the DSMV but has had little luck so far ...

It hasn't been an easy journey, but it's been a worthwhile one ... For me it was a great relief to finally be able to put a name on what had been troubling me my whole life ...

I wish you the best, and don't give up ... It does get better ... It just takes time ...

Be extra Patient, Gentle & Kind with yourself ... Now more than ever ...

Sincerely,
BrokenCloud

I never really thought about this, but I do this too. It's something that's constantly on my mind. I've tried to make it stop, but I've so far been unsuccessful for more than a few days at a time.

i too try to understand. i was dx a few years ago. i would like to reccomend an excellent book to those who suffer. The book is called "Waking the Tiger" by Dr. Peter Levine. He has over 25 yrs. experience with healing of trauma. mostly the complex ptsd kind. i remember even when the ptsd stress triggers began for me, and i think recognizing your 'triggers' is one step in healing. For example, when the telephone would ring, my heart would begin to race (tachacardia) and the intense fears would return.
I hope you all find some support, love and healing here at PC. This is the type of problem that does not go away on it's own.

Wow. I didn't believe PTSD could get any worse, but I guess it can

And,

After so many years, I feel like I keep walking into new ones sometimes. I wish I could just point them all out at once and just put them away of my life for good.

I love everything that everyone has said so far. I wanted to share here as an example of constant abuse vs. a one off. My first memory of childhood is of sexual, physical abuse including an attempt at my life..2-4 then being abandoned by my mother and going into foster care..4 then being beaten and emotionally abused 4-9 then more sexual, physical and emotional abuse, including gang rape, and another attempt at my life..9-12 ....etc..etc... It seemed like that was all I was good for was to be available for being abused by the adults who were supposed to keep me safe. On top of that watching violence to others all around me and, being made to feel by foster care like a money symbol, and having to move constantly 15 homes........well it has all taken it's toll on me and now at 37 I still am trying to recover my own identity and self worth.....C-Ptsd and DDnos, and the other issues have been caused by this extreme, constant trauma...........

"It seemed like that was all I was good for was to be available for being abused by the adults who were supposed to keep me safe. On top of that watching violence to others all around me and, being made to feel by foster care like a money symbol, and having to move constantly 15 homes........well it has all taken it's toll on me and now at 37 I still am trying to recover my own identity and self worth."


Tigressnred, you certainly had a rough childhood, one NO one deserves! I can't imagine having to go through the foster care stuff...it just doesn't get any worse than that. I saw it happen to nephews and niece after my sister was murdered and I couldn't care for them. The difference is you realize you have problems, they are in complete denial.
I wish you well and give you hugs!