The differences between CPTSD and PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) are two distinct but related mental health conditions that can have a seriously debilitating impact on your life.

Here, we’ll explore PTSD and CPTSD in more detail, looking at their similarities and differences, and the different treatment methods available. Understanding these conditions is crucial in order to get the support you need to start healing from your trauma.

Similarities of PTSD and CPTSD

While PTSD and CPTSD are distinct conditions with their own unique features, they also share some similarities:

• Trauma response – both PTSD and CPTSD are triggered by traumatic experiences, which can cause distressing symptoms
• Re-experiencing – people with both conditions might experience symptoms including intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares and a feeling of being ‘on edge’ all the time. This can cause you to re-live the trauma over and over again
• Avoidance behaviours – both PTSD and CPTSD can lead to avoidance behaviours. This is where people try to avoid places or situations that remind them of their trauma
• Impact on daily life – both disorders can have a negative impact on someone’s ability to function in their daily life. The symptoms of PTSD and CPTSD can be debilitating and cause relationship problems, issues at work and extreme distress

Recognising these shared elements of PTSD and CPTSD is important for early intervention, so people can get the treatment they need for these trauma-related disorders.

Differences between PTSD and CPTSD

While PTSD and CPTSD do share some similarities, there are also some key differences between the two:

• Nature of the trauma – PTSD usually develops following a single traumatic event, such as a car accident, a natural disaster or a violent assault. In contrast, CPTSD comes from prolonged and repeated trauma. This can include things like ongoing emotional or physical abuse, neglect, captivity or prolonged exposure to combat (for example, in military personnel). It might also stem from having a difficult childhood, such as growing up in a chaotic or dysfunctional family environment
• Complexity of symptoms – while both disorders share some symptoms, CPTSD tends to involve a more complex set of emotional and interpersonal difficulties. One key example is emotional dysregulation. This is when you have problems managing or controlling your emotions effectively. It can cause you to experience intense emotional reactions that seem to be disproportionate to the situation. Or it might make it hard for you to shift from one emotional state to another. Emotional dysregulation as a result of CPTSD can cause mood swings, impulsivity, difficulty calming down when you’re upset, and being unable to maintain emotional stability. Not only can these symptoms be distressing, but they can have a negative impact on lots of different areas of your life, including your relationships and general wellbeing
• Impact on identity – CPTSD can have a negative impact on your sense of self and self-worth, leading to you having issues with your identity and self-esteem. This is often because prolonged and repeated trauma may have caused you to internalise negative beliefs about yourself, your value and your place in the world. This can cause you to feel distant and ‘separate’ from other people
• Duration and onset – PTSD symptoms can develop shortly after the traumatic event, whereas CPTSD often takes years to become fully apparent, as it’s linked to long-term, ongoing trauma
• Treatment approach – treatment for CPTSD often involves a more comprehensive and longer-term approach, including therapies that address the complex self-concept issues that you might be experiencing. PTSD treatment is usually more focused on addressing specific traumatic memories and associated symptoms

These differences highlight the importance of diagnosing PTSD or CPTSD, so that you can benefit from a tailored treatment approach for your individual needs. It’s also important to note that, for some people, these signs and symptoms can overlap, which further highlights the importance of getting an accurate diagnosis.

Complex PTSD treatment

CPTSD often needs a comprehensive and specialised approach to treatment. Therapy forms the foundation of CPTSD treatment, and it usually involves evidence-based techniques such as:

• Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT)
• Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
• Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)
• Schema therapy

These therapies aim to address the complex symptoms associated with CPTSD, including emotional dysregulation, relationship difficulties and distorted sense of self. These approaches can also be used in the treatment of non-complex PTSD.

Professional support for CPTSD can help you to develop coping strategies, build resilience and work through your traumatic experiences. It’s important to understand that treatment for CPTSD usually takes place over an extended period of time, as healing from complex trauma needs time and dedication.

The goal of treatment is to help you to regain a sense of safety, self-worth and control over your life. 

Treatment for PTSD and CPTSD

If you or someone you know is struggling with the symptoms of PTSD or CPTSD, it's crucial to reach out for support. 

A good first step may be for you to make an appointment to see your GP. They’ll be able to assess your condition and symptoms, and offer initial guidance on the treatment options available to you. They can also refer you to specialist providers of PTSD and CPTSD treatment, if needed. 

Alternatively, if you prefer a more direct approach or need help fast, you can reach out to a private provider like Priory. We can offer timely access to specialised mental health care and a range of therapeutic options tailored to your needs. 

Getting help from a mental health professional is a vital step towards understanding and managing your PTSD or CPTSD. Remember, you don’t have to suffer in silence; help is available and it’s possible for you to overcome your trauma and return to the healthy and fulfilling life you deserve.