If you’ve been diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), you’re facing enough challenges already. And you’re not alone in them, even if it feels that way. But it can add more frustration and stress when your closest friends and family don’t understand your experiences or their impact on you. Having these conversations is difficult and delicate but worth the trouble. After all, having a support system and discussing your feelings with others is a huge step forward in your healing journey. We’ll give you some tools to take that step, including advice from psychology experts Drs. George Sachs and Allison Broennimann.
Things You Should Know
- Explain how CPTSD results from ongoing trauma. Rather than just one bad day, CPTSD stems from many traumatic events over a long period of time.
- Describe how CPTSD influences your behavior. Explain how you sometimes have anger outbursts or struggle to take people at their word due to your symptoms.
- Tell them what your frequent triggers are and how they can help you in that moment.
Steps
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
- Remember that you are not alone. PTSD and CPTSD are thought to affect over 250 million people around the world. [17] X Research source If the people in your life don’t understand, someone else will.Thanks
- CPTSD is sometimes confused with or misdiagnosed as borderline personality disorder (BPD). Speak to a therapist or psychologist who specializes in trauma to better understand your symptoms and what they mean. [18] X Research sourceThanks
- If someone is disclosing to you that they have CPTSD, don’t give vague answers like “everything is going to be okay.” Actively listen to them and avoid giving unsolicited advice. Educate yourself on their condition and how you can support them.Thanks
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about mental disorders, check out our in-depth interview with George Sachs, PsyD .
References
- ↑ https://www.ptsduk.org/how-to-talk-to-a-loved-one-about-your-ptsd/
- ↑ https://www.psychalive.org/injured-not-broken-why-its-so-hard-to-know-you-have-cptsd/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7683637/
- ↑ https://www.psychalive.org/injured-not-broken-why-its-so-hard-to-know-you-have-cptsd/
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/complex/
- ↑ https://www.psychalive.org/injured-not-broken-why-its-so-hard-to-know-you-have-cptsd/
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/ptsd/c-ptsd-and-interpersonal-relationships
- ↑ https://www.ptsduk.org/how-to-talk-to-a-loved-one-about-your-ptsd/
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/complex/
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/symptoms/
- ↑ https://www.ptsduk.org/what-is-ptsd/understanding-ptsd-flashbacks-and-triggers/
- ↑ https://www.ptsduk.org/how-to-talk-to-a-loved-one-about-your-ptsd/
- ↑ https://www.ptsduk.org/how-to-talk-to-a-loved-one-about-your-ptsd/
- ↑ https://www.ptsduk.org/how-to-talk-to-a-loved-one-about-your-ptsd/
- ↑ https://www.psychalive.org/injured-not-broken-why-its-so-hard-to-know-you-have-cptsd/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207195/
- ↑ https://www.goldenstepsaba.com/resources/ptsd-statistics#
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/understanding-ptsd/202006/is-it-borderline-personality-disorder-or-is-it-really-complex-ptsd