What are the 17 symptoms of complex PTSD?

this is a very vulnerable post I’m sharing, learning and showing what my experiences are and what it looks like to have complex PTSD

if you are struggling call or text 988 It is a hotline for those seriously struggling.

Flashbacks

typically happens in dreams, when something reminds you of that moment with one of the five senses such as a familiar scent, a sight or a feeling.

Memory lapses

sometimes I will walk in a room and completely forget what I was there for or I’ll forget something I just talked about recently.

Distorted sense of self

can be two different extremes, typically looking like feeling worthless and skewed views or beliefs of self, which I consistently struggle with

Inability to control your emotions

for me a lot of times I get really emotional or upset over small things and will cry or get very angry, and don’t hide it well.

can also be mood swings

Hyperarousal

heightened senses and can cause many parts of the body to work overtime from anxiety mainly

Unexplained upset stomach

high levels of cortisol can cause an upset stomach and interrupt the bowels

the gut and brain are connected which can manifest as an upset stomach

with a diagnosis of GERD and IBS-C, I can attest to the stomach issues

Sleep disturbances

can include insomnia, nightmares, and hypervigilance

most nights I do not sleep through the night will have multiple nightmares or unexplained strange dreams and tend to be on edge a lot

Challenged interpersonal relationships

difficulty trusting others, emotional dysregulation, hypervigilance, and a negative self-image, making it hard to form and maintain healthy connections with others

many times I feel conscious of any perceived imperfections I have, even with constant reassurance they live in My head

a lot of times I feel as though I’m too much or too damaged to be understood or be able to have a good friendship with others

Avoidance of certain circumstances/places

the deliberate act of staying away from people, places, situations, or even thoughts that could trigger memories or feelings related to the traumatic experiences

I moved 1800 miles from my hometown to escape many traumas that occurred, I also avoided cities where trauma occurred where I currently live

Substance use

 Substance use disorders (SUD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are chronic, debilitating conditions that frequently co-occur.

for me and members of my family, this looked like opiates and alcohol use

Low self-esteem

this can be negative thought Patterns, self-doubt, guilt, shame, and denial of feelings

consistently I find myself struggling with catastrophising a lot of things or playing out the worst-case scenario in my head, I fear saying the word love even to those I do love.

Chronic health conditions

Arthritis, Asthma, Gastrointestinal disorders, Cancer, Tinnitus, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, Migraines, Obstructive sleep apnea, and Psoriasis

currently struggling with fibromyalgia, gastro disorders and headaches, it amazes me how much PTSD can reek havoc on the human body

Depersonalization or derealization

Depersonalization is a dissociative symptom that can occur in individuals with PTSD. It is characterized by a persistent or recurrent feeling of detachment from oneself, one’s body, or one’s mental processes. 

Symptoms: 

• Feeling like an observer of one’s own body or mind
• Feeling numb or emotionally detached
• Feeling like one is not in control of one’s thoughts or actions
• Feeling unreal or like a dream
• Feeling disconnected from the world around the

a lot of days just don’t feel real, I struggle at times to really be present everyday

Negative self-perception

People with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can experience negative self-perception, including low self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness, and negative thought patterns. These negative perceptions can impact how people with PTSD feel about themselves and navigate the world. 

Causes

• Trauma-related cognitive alterations these alterations can include negative thoughts about the self, such as feeling incompetent or helpless. 
• Self-defining memories of the traumatic event can negatively transform a person’s self-concept. 
• Lack of emotional validation People with PTSD may not have felt validated or had a sense of self-worth during their traumatic experiences. 

Symptoms 

• Feeling like you don’t know yourself anymore
• Feeling like you’ll never be able to experience normal emotions again
• Feeling like you’re dead inside
• Feeling like you’re less than others
• Overanalyzing your words and actions

notation I feel isn’t necessary for this one, as this is a big one for me.

Thoughts of suicide

Suicidal feelings can mean having abstract thoughts about ending your life or feeling that people would be better off without you.

Or it can mean thinking about methods of suicide or making clear plans to take your own life. If you are feeling suicidal, you might be scared or confused by these feelings.

while I’ve never attempted or planned, as a child I frequently prayed to not wake up so I wasn’t facing the abuse anymore

Unexplained headaches

this is a stress response to the body dealing with the emotional pain

Autoimmune conditions

stress from PTSD can trigger hormones that alters cytokine production

• Type 1 diabetes
• Lupus erythematosus
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriasis
• Celiac disease

upon writing this post there were somethings I didn’t know until researching this, and felt it should be shared.

the human body is an incredible machine that is really amazing for what it is.