Many people have heard of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They know that traumatic experiences cause it. They may not be familiar with complex PTSD.
First, there are the symptoms of PTSD. These include:
- The presence of a traumatic event (experienced or witnessed)
- Intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and flashbacks
- Avoidance of triggers and other things that would remind the person of the traumatic event
- Social isolation
- Increased vulnerability to substance abuse, depression, and anxiety disorders
A single traumatic event often causes PTSD.
The good news is that therapy can make a big difference for people who have experienced the symptoms of PTSD. We practice Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.
Learn More about how EMDR can help
Complex PTSD
Complex PTSD is a little different from PTSD. It includes all of the symptoms listed above and can add some of the following symptoms, including:
- Difficulty regulating emotion
- Bad or blaming self-perception
- High mistrust and withdrawal from relationships
- Abrupt termination of jobs and other projects
Complex PTSD is caused by repeated, prolonged trauma over a long period. For instance, a person who survived abuse as a child or a combat veteran can experience the symptoms of C-PTSD.
The good news is that therapy can make a big difference for people who have experienced the symptoms of PTSD. We practice Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.