Complex post traumatic stress (C-PTSD) is often misdiagnosed as ADHD, depression, bipolar, anxiety, or other mental health disorders.
C-PTSD is not yet recognized as an official diagnosis.
Symptoms include:
-hyper-vigilance
-inability to pay attention
-dissociation
-“mood swings”
-low self worth
-inability to self regulate
-history attachment issues in relationships (ex: abandonment fears)
-overall distrust
-emotional flooding and/or flashbacks
-inability to emotionally regulate
Complex post traumatic stress typical comes from long-term trauma in childhood.
Ex:
-verbally or physical abuse, shaming
-witnessing dysfunctional relationships
-chronic chaos (unpredictability)
-parents who couldn’t emotionally regulate
-bullying
-emotionally absent parents
-financial insecurity and chronic stress
-sibling abuse
-addicted parents
When children are helpless to leave an unsafe or insecure environment, the body remembers. It remains in a threat state.
There is healing for C-PTSD: somatic healing/therapy, self healing, movement (ex: dance therapy), nutritional approaches, attachment therapy, and mind body practices like yoga all can be a part of an integrative approach.
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