September is CPTSD Awareness Month. Somewhere between 2 and 10 million adults in the U.S. have Complex PTSD. A big part of the reason for the discrepancy in numbers is the American Psychological Association’s refusal to include CPTSD as a separate diagnostic category in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR).
In 2018, recognizing the growing body of evidence that prolonged trauma leads to more intense symptoms than those encountered by a single traumatic event (PTSD), the World Health Organization included separate diagnostic criteria for CPTSD in its International Classification of Diseases – 11th Revision (ICD-11).
According to the CPTSD Alliance There Are 6 Signs of CPTSD that Most People Miss:
- You Don’t Ask for Help – You learned that no one shows up; You carry it all because someone had to.
- Emotional Flashbacks – You feel intense shame, panic or despair- but there’s no reason. Your body remembers what your mind doesn’t.
- Fawn Response – You people-please, overexplain, or downplay your needs. Not to manipulate – just to stay safe.
- Shutdown – You’re not being lazy. Sometimes you literally can’t move, reply, or function. Your nervous system hit a wall, and you’re not “being dramatic.”
- Chronic Guilt – You feel guilty even when you didn’t do anything wrong, and especially when you’re feeling good about something. Survivors often carry guilt instead of safety.
- Overreacting to Small Things – You’re not “too sensitive.” You’re protecting yourself from patterns you’ve seen before. Your reactions make sense in the context of your past.
What I Wish People Knew About CPTSD
For many of us, the trauma we faced started so early that it was all we knew. It shaped our personalities, our reactions, and our nervous systems. Trauma is a part of who we are. And, while it has caused us to develop areas of difficulty, it has also bestowed strengths.
The two areas that have been the most difficult for me are shame and trust. In my book, I cite research that defines shame as “an abject sense of worthlessness.” Living in poverty, being frequently homeless and transient meant that I was often the recipient of bullying at school, further reinforcing my sense of shame. Sometimes, caring adults stepped in – and sometimes they didn’t. If there is one place where adults can make a difference, it is in teaching and monitoring children’s relationships. Listen to what your children and grandchildren say about other children. Step in when you hear something is amiss.
Trust will always be an issue with me. It’s something I have to work on continually. Because of this, I have committed to being someone who says what they mean and means what they say. I value relationships with people who share my approach. It’s not helpful when someone says or does something upsetting, and rather than addressing the issue, they avoid it or ghost the person. Yep, I used to do that before I learned the tools in therapy to communicate effectively.
CPTSD Also Bestows Strengths
Trauma has revealed hidden talents in me. If you want something done, I’m the person to ask. I’m incredibly organized. I’m loyal to a fault – until you push me too far. And, I can take an almost empty pantry and make a gourmet meal. Because of my trauma, I am extremely empathetic to the suffering of others. Yes, trauma has been a double-edged sword. While it has given me hardships and adversity, it has also bestowed gifts.
For more information contact The Healing and C-PTSD Foundation. Look for my article, “The Price of the Ask” coming in their online magazine The Healing and CPTSD Chronicles in December.
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