We can define trauma as any experience or series of experiences that threatened your sense of safety or security. When trauma occurs as a one- off incident, such as an accident or instance of physical assault, an individual may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Complex PTSD can occur as a result of ongoing or repeated trauma thus, narcissistic abuse or other damaging relationship dynamics can cause C-PTSD.
Symptoms shared by PTSD and see PTSD include:
· Re-experiencing the trauma through flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, and nightmares
· Hypervigilance
· Being easily startled
· Fear
· Avoidance of people or places associated with the traumatic experience/s.
· Outbursts of anger
· Rapid Heartbeat
· Insomnia
· Feeling on edge
· Muscle tension
· In children, symptoms may include bedwetting, regression, clinginess.
In individuals with PTSD or C-PTSD, these symptoms are persistent and it’s likely that they interfere with daily functioning.
Additional symptoms with C-PTSD include:
· Difficulty regulating emotions
· Strong feelings of guilt or worthlessness
· Suicidal thoughts
· Difficulties maintaining friendships/relationships
· Physical symptoms including headaches, stomach aches, chest pains, muscle pain