Okay, on the last post I have discussed about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). If you haven’t read it yet, CLICK HERE. Now it’s time to go over C-PTSD. To be honest, I didn’t know there was such thing until I explored more in the subject of PTSD. So I will be trying my very best to provide information on how it’s different from PTSD and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Why BPD as well? There are some similarities between C-PTSD and BPD.

Of course before I proceed on, just in case you are a new reader, thanks for reading! However, I am not a medical professional. If want to get a full diagnosis, please consult a specialist. Actually multiple specialists, because one can get a misdiagnosis. Please treat this entry as an entry giving some educational insight. With that being said, let’s continue.

C-PTSD stands for Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. It develops from life threatening trauma or abuse that occurs repeatedly and cumulatively over a prolonged period of time. In many cases, the victim feels powerless and sees no hope of escape. The abuse is often premeditated, planned, and carried out by other people. Now I know you’re wondering what makes it any different from PTSD?

Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is linked with severe, ongoing trauma or multiple types of trauma where the victim has no hope of escape. PTSD may be triggered by a brief one-time event such as a car crash, armed attack, or natural disaster. Also, C-PTSD has severe symptoms that impair everyday functioning. Symptoms of PTSD may range from mild to severe. People with C-PTSD may experience all the symptoms typically associated with PTSD plus additional symptoms.

People that has C-PTSD show signs of mood swings, problems regulating emotions, fear of abandonment, episodes of anger/rage, and dissociation. Sounds familiar? Yea, because it sounds like Borderline Personality Disorder. If you need more information on BPD, click here. Anyway, here’s the difference… BPD does not acquire a traumatic experience to be diagnosed; whereas C-PTSD, does. That’s a huge differentiation! The treatment plan for C-PTSD is to focus on healing or process through the traumatic event. While BPD is to resolve any urges and better manage one’s emotions. That’s important because those are two completely different treatment style. Need to get the proper diagnosis in order to bet the best treatment.

Another difference is, though two of these disorders are very emotion driven, the emotions are expressed differently. In C-PTSD is through emotional sensitivity, reactive anger, and poor coping skills. Many struggle with drug or alcohol abuse. BPD, may show some of those signs, but it’s much more common for someone with BPD struggle with suicidal thoughts and self harm when experiencing emotional dysregulations.

Some people can have C-PTSD and BPD. Of course the diagnosis of having either or both is through careful examinations from a specialist. Just like any of the disorders, treatment involve therapy, medication (if needed), self-care, and support system. This is possible if you just adult one day at a time. xoxo

Do you have or know anybody with C-PTSD? Have you ever been diagnosed BPD, but it was C-PTSD, or vice versa? What do you think of this entry? Please comment below. I love to read people’s point of view.

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