Fact Sheet I Trauma and Complex Trauma: An Overview

When effective, this process helps to desensitize the person to the trauma so that they can eventually recall the memory without having a strong adverse reaction to it. After preparation and practice, the therapist will ask the person to recall the traumatic memory. The therapist will move a finger from side to side, and the person will follow the movement with their eyes. In addition, can ptsd cause blackouts the person must show problems with self-regulation, low self-esteem, a sense of shame or guilt related to past trauma, and problems maintaining relationships with others. When this happens, a person’s brain can perceive that they are in danger, even if they are not. This is known as an amygdala hijack and can also result in things like flashbacks, nightmares, or being easily startled.

When abuse is long-term it can affect the survivor’s sense of self and identity. This means that Complex Trauma changes the way people think, feel and behave towards themselves. Some medications for depression may reduce the symptoms of complex PTSD. These medicines may be especially effective in combination with psychotherapy.

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Drugs of abuse or addictive behaviors can facilitate a state of numbness, albeit temporarily (and while causing neuroadaptations that perpetuate, rather than solve, the original issue). For individuals with dysregulated stress systems resulting from trauma, drugs of abuse can offer a reprieve from chronic hyperarousal and anxiety. Alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, and cannabis products have calming intoxication effects, some of which even serve to slow down the central nervous system (i.e., depressants). Additionally, gambling (especially with electronic gambling machines) lulls players into a type of trance in which they forget about everything other than the machine (Schull, 2012). The primary reason individuals use drugs of abuse is due to their immediate psychological effects. Alcoholism is a condition that develops in people who consume large quantities of alcohol.

Many people may turn to alcohol to aid with sleep or to help distract from the symptoms of trauma. However, this often becomes an addictive habit with more negative aspects and consequences than helpful ones. Tools such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help adults with PTSD discover new ways to cope with overwhelming emotions.

Treatment for Co-Occurring Conditions

Every trauma response is valid and deserves support and understanding as an individual learns how to process emotions and grow stronger. Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) is a mental health condition caused by enduring complex trauma over a prolonged period of time, typically in childhood or early adulthood. Unlike PTSD, which is often linked to one specific traumatic event, C-PTSD results from repeated exposure to severe stressors where the victim finds no feasible way out.

The symptoms of complex PTSD can be similar but more enduring and extreme than those of PTSD. Gender disparities in trauma-related risk factors for alcohol and drug abuse have been a focus of study as well. One study, centered on adolescent populations, suggests that traumatic event exposure increases the risk of SUDs in young women but not in young men.

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People living with complex PTSD can seek support from organizations that understand the condition. However, complex PTSD may require longer treatment than traditional PTSD and a larger variety of interventions, particularly those that focus on issues with self-organization. Clinicians are becoming more aware of the differences between PTSD and complex PTSD. However, because complex PTSD is a relatively new diagnosis, some

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clinicians could still diagnose another condition instead. The ICD-11 states that a clinician must determine that a person meets all the criteria for traditional PTSD before diagnosing complex PTSD.