Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex-PTSD

Life can be a challenge but it doesn’t have to be.

There is a solution.

There is hope.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex-PTSD

According to the Sidran Institute, 13 million people in the U.S. have PTSD.

  • 1 out of 13 adults develop PTSD during their lifetime
  • 1 out of 10 women develop PTSD
  • Women are 2x’s as likely to develop PTSD than men

Individuals who have experienced prolonged, repeated, exposure to chronic trauma over months or even years can develop complex-PTSD.

Symptoms of PTSD include:

  • Intrusive memories of the traumatic event
  • Avoiding anything (i.e., thinking, talking, places, activities, or people) associated with the traumatic event
  • Negative changes in thinking and mood
  • Changes in physical and emotional reactions

Complex-PTSD includes all the symptoms of PTSD but also include:

  • Difficulty regulating emotions
  • Dissociation or amnesia around the traumatic events
  • Disturbance in self-perception
  • Fluctuating perception of the perpetrator
  • Impaired ability to form relationships with others
  • Loss of meaning
  • Experiencing physical symptoms of traumatic stress

Risks for PTSD include:

  • Partner violence
  • Rape, sexual assault, or abuse
  • Physical assault
  • Random acts of violence which take place in public, schools, or the workplace
  • Children who experience neglect, sexual, physical, or verbal abuse
  • Adults abused as children
  • Veterans or civilians of war
  • Diagnosis of a life-threatening illness or experienced invasive medical procedures
  • First responders during traumatic situations
  • Learning of sudden unexpected death of a close friend or relative
  • Survivors of unexpected events
    • accident/fire
    • natural disaster
    • catastrophic event
    • disaster due to human error

Treatment includes:

  • Therapy
  • Medication

For more information go to Sidran Institute.

When an individual has PTSD or Complex-PTSD, healing can take place. Overcoming PTSD or Complex-PTSD can be difficult and challenging but with the support of a caring therapist, the healing can be achievable.