Both Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) are some of the disorders specifically associated with psychological and behavioral stress. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD) is a simple disorder of stress, whereas Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) is a complex disorder of stress. If you want to know the difference between PTSD vs CPTSD and how to cure it then read this blog till the end. It will help you know the details about PTSD and CPTSD.
What are Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD)?
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
It is a mental and behavioral disorder that affects people from dangerous, shocking, or scary traumatic events. Traumatic events include child abuse, sexual assault, warfare, traffic collisions, etc.
Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD)
It is a mental disorder that is related to stress. It generally occurs in response to complex traumas. Natural disasters, prisoners of war, solitary confinement, kidnapping and hostage situations, etc., are some of the traumatic events occurring in this disorder.
Difference Between PTSD and CPTSD
Disability
CPTSD
Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) is recognized as a psychiatric disability by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
People suffering from Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) as a disability may not be eligible for services and benefits. This creates treatment problems and does not improve their quality of life.
PTSD
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is considered a psychiatric disability.
Some people change their lifestyles and have the appropriate treatment. It includes symptoms such as severity and impact on the daily life of people.
Symptoms
CPTSD
The several symptoms of Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(CPTSD) are as follows:
1. Trust Issues
A person faces problems in trusting new people or even familiar ones. This makes the relationship difficult.
Such people also experience poor communication skills, negative self-image, changes of personality, impulsive behavior, memory issues, inability to tolerate stress, and dysregulation of emotion.
2. Flashbacks
The description of emotional flashbacks reminds me of past traumatic events. These traumatic events include feeling unsafe, fear, or shame.
It is hard to recognize and detect emotional flashbacks. This can occur suddenly which becomes harder to pinpoint.
3. Chronic Fatigue
People face some problems such as constant exhaustion, tiredness, burnout, loss of energy, etc. This does not make any improvement in taking rest. It is caused due to a shortage of physical and mental energy.
The constant exhaustions are related to stress. This includes the usage of alcohol and drugs, feeling demotivated or disinterested, disassociation, isolation and withdrawal, risky and reckless behavior, negativity and hopelessness, procrastination, finding excuses, muscle aches, pains, and cramps, etc.
4. Shame or Guilt
The deep-seated feeling of being unworthy and self-disgusting related to traumatic events is known as shame. In Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(CPTSD), people feel ashamed by experiencing a past trauma, internalize the issues of their body image, and are initiated by societal expectations. This leads to an intense sense of self-blame and inadequacy in the society.
People feel guilty when they have done something wrong or harmed others. This reminds the values of the people. It makes them distorted in society.
5. Chronic Stress
The loss of interest in activities, feelings of hopelessness, and sadness are some of the symptoms of chronic stress. This leads to anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and addictive behavior in individuals.
People face trouble in the regulation of the body in any traumatic event.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
The several symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD) are as follows:
1. Aggressive or irritable behavior
The irritability increases over time which causes anger in individuals after a traumatic event. It includes several symptoms such as severity and chronicity.
Half of the people suffering from the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are engaged in aggressive behavior. The violent behavior of 20% of people becomes harmful to another person.
2. Avoid distressing feelings and thoughts
A person must avoid talking about the deployments. This avoids distressed feelings and thoughts. It controls the emotions of a person.
The distressing feelings and thoughts lead to distraction, disassociation, and fantasizing.
3. Continued negative emotions
This symptom reminds us about unwanted memories and topics. It affects individuals due to several causes such as loss of independence, rejection, insecurity, loss of control, criticism, etc.
4. Traumatic nightmares
This symptom occurs due to panic attacks in individuals. Its treatment includes some therapies such as exposure, relaxation, re-scripting therapy, behavioral therapy, Imagery rehearsal therapy, etc., to overcome this weakness.
Causes
Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD)
- The causes of Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) include the following:
- Torture
- Domestic Violence
- Slavery
- Abuse, neglect, or abandon the child
- Childhood Soldiering
- Genocide
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
The causes of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) include the following:
- Serious health problems
- Child or domestic abuse
- Serious accidents
- Exposure to traumatic events
- Experiences of childbirth
- Sexual or physical assault
- Death of a close friend, relative, or family member
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM) 5 Indicators
Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD)
Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) is not recognized by the 5 indicators of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM). The discussion of Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) in the community has proposed the criteria for diagnosis. This helps focus on improving several aspects such as interpersonal problems, effective dysregulation, and negative self-concept.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
In addition to 17 symptoms, the 5 indicators of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM) specify additional criteria such as stressor, exclusion, duration, and functional significance to diagnose Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This makes it crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment planning.
Treatment
Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD)
Medicines such as paroxetine, fluoxetine, and sertraline are used to reduce symptoms of Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD). It also involves specialized centers of treatment and treatment planning.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Medicines such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) help to reduce symptoms such as flashbacks and nightmares. Seeking consultation from healthcare providers for proper diagnosis and medication plans is also important to reduce these symptoms.
Conclusion
The blog describes the comparison between Complex Post post-traumatic stress Disorder (CPTSD) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in terms of disability, causes, treatment, and symptoms. Causes and symptoms lead to stress, anxiety, headache, irritation, and many other problems. Medicines and treatment planning are used to treat these disorders.