What Is Complex Trauma?

Although our life is simply a series of events one after the other, some of them leave a longer-lasting impact than others. Unfortunately, this is true for negative events just as much as positive events. 

Experiencing so many negative events may leave you with trauma. Although this is a natural reaction to experiencing a certain series of events, knowing this likely does not make living with trauma any easier.  Want to learn more about complex trauma and how you can begin to cope with it? Keep reading to find some answers to the questions you may have. 

Defining complex trauma

What, exactly, makes trauma complex? Complex trauma is a particular type of trauma that is developed over a long period of time. This can be spread out over time or developed over multiple years depending on the type of trauma inflicted. 

Although anyone can develop complex trauma over time, usually, children from abusive homes are most susceptible to it. This is due to the fact that kids from abusive or neglectful homes are experiencing this trauma as their brains develop. Additionally, complex trauma grows worse the longer you go without treatment. Since children usually cannot effectively advocate for themselves, they may go years without receiving the necessary treatment.

Differences between post-traumatic stress disorder and complex trauma 

Chances are likely you have heard of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Perhaps even from my description above you may be wondering: what really is the difference between complex trauma and PTSD? Well, complex trauma is also referred to as complex PTSD (C-PTSD). 

Essentially, the biggest difference between the two is that C-PTSD is a series of events while PTSD can occur after only one traumatic event. You develop PTSD after witnessing a traumatic event or living through a horrific experience. Unlike PTSD, complex trauma is developed after multiple occurrences of abuse or another type of trauma. Also, complex trauma is usually a bit more nuanced. 

Recognizing complex trauma 

Although there are crucial differences between PTSD and complex trauma, there is a lot of overlap between the symptoms of the two. However, there is no set list of what signs you must possess to live with complex trauma. You may have only a few of the following symptoms. This is only a list of certain traits to look for if you believe you may be living with complex trauma. 

  • Intense and involuntary flashbacks

  • Night terrors or severe insomnia 

  • Elevated levels of depression and anxiety

  • Detachment or disassociation 

  • Low or nonexistent self-esteem 

  • Lack of emotional regulation 

  • Extreme anger toward the world

Learning to cope

The good news about all of this is that there are ways you can overcome your trauma. Implement a few of the following techniques into your daily life to begin coping with your trauma in a healthy manner. 

  • Develop a self-care routine: You deserve to have nice things! Be sure to take care of yourself and practice self-care regularly. This can be anything from an extra luxurious shower routine or prioritizing exercise. Whatever it is, make sure it makes you feel good. 

  • Work on journaling: Journaling is a wonderful way to get your thoughts out of your head and onto the paper. This gives the added benefit of lowering the occurrences of intrusive thoughts. 

  • Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness and meditation force you into your body and the present moment. It truly allows you to leave your trauma behind as you focus solely on the current moment. 

If you want to expand your support network, I encourage you to find a therapist specializing in trauma therapy. I am happy to help you learn to conquer your trauma, regardless of the size and scope. Please reach out today to get in touch about trauma therapy. I look forward to creating a stronger basis of mental health with you.

Previous
Previous

What Is Racial Trauma?

Next
Next

What Is Complex Developmental Trauma?