Complex ptsd

Hi Chocolatebunnie,
I am a bit confused by the “possibly”. Did the mental health assessor actually do the PTSD tests?
PTSD is assessed using a number of set questions. A score above a certain amount indicates PTSD with the severity rising with a higher score. This can be used by therapists to then treat the condition. An official diagnosis of PTSD can only be made by a qualified professional like a psychiatrist.
The therapy can be specialised trauma therapy or normal CBT. If specialised trauma therapy it is often retraumatising as you delve into the incidents. From my experience, this would be extremely difficult if you are still facing ongoing trauma. I don’t know whether you would be eligible for this type of therapy if the situation is ongoing. This will depend on the therapist.
Complex PTSD is horrific. Everyone I know with it has suffered serious emotional disregulation, flashbacks, and personality/behaviour changes to name only a few. I felt totally unhinged at times and could not recognise myself, nor control behaviours. It’s a condition where you would really know you are having symptoms.
Good luck with everything.

Hi Chocolatebunnie,
No one has or is judging you.
Whether you stay or leave your relationship is entirely up to you and we all know how tremendously hard it is to make any decision.
Good luck with any recommended therapy.

Hi Chocolatebunnie, CPTSD is becoming recognised as a diagnosis. It’s not the same as a single traumatic event. It’s sinking in for me that every single aspect of my life has been affected by trauma; Work, home, study, relationships etc.
Some counsellors use an Adverse Childhood Experience tool and there is evidence that a higher ACE score often implies poorer mental and physical health. Different therapists/counsellors will approach this with their own tools.

Therapy for yourself may help you come to terms with your past, but may not be so useful for dealing with your current situation. It’s too much to be able to reflect on an abusive and terrifying situation while you’re still living in it.

The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) is a good resource. Above all, please remember that it’s not your fault. Nobody ‘just leaves’ an abusive relationship, and nobody goes into a relationship thinking, Yipee, here’s someone who’ll use me, put me down, shout at me, hit me, manipulate me, maybe rape me if the mood strikes….Abusers can be very sweet and charming when they want to be.

Baby steps. There are treatments which can help with CPTSD, and meds that can reduce the physical symptoms. You’ll get there.

From my personal experience any tests you have range from 1-10 10 being the most traumatic and they can tell you almost instantly your results or you can ring them up if something is ongoing they don’t usually offer therapy but this is just my experience they wait until that is dealt with as therapy won’t work

So my counsellor is a phycotherapist and has diagnosed me with cptsd and ive been diagnosed with anxiety disorder by my gp. Ive tried CBT EMDR and other therapy but it doesnt work.
Why? Because im still here.
For me labels dont help I will fight the diagnosis because im always in fight mode because im still here. CB im not saying dont get the diagnosis im saying will it help? In order to really help ourselves we have to reach out accept our lives what has happened and is happening still and grab some help to get out as only when you get out can you truely heal.
You know me you know im still here and struggling so I know how hard it is to get out I know but sometimes the thing we need to hear is not what we want to hear.
I am a huge hypocrite I know but CB sweetie i dont want you to make the same mistakes I am.
Grab that help with both hands and hang on tight and allow it to guide you away. Xxxxxx