Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can develop after a single traumatic event or repeated experiences that overwhelm a person’s sense of safety, control, or well being.
PTSD symptoms often cluster into a few areas:
Intrusive memories, nightmares, or flashbacks
Avoidance of reminders, thoughts, or feelings
Negative shifts in mood and thinking
Hypervigilance, being easily startled, and difficulty sleeping
Complex PTSD can develop after traumatic experiences that are prolonged, repeated, or difficult to escape, including childhood abuse, neglect, or ongoing interpersonal trauma.
In addition to the core symptoms of PTSD, Complex PTSD can affect a person’s ability to regulate emotions, maintain a positive sense of self, and feel safe and connected in relationships.
Complex PTSD often adds:
Difficulty regulating intense emotions
Persistent shame, guilt, or a sense of being ‘broken’
Harsh self-criticism and low self-worth
Difficulty trusting others and forming safe relationships
Feeling disconnected from yourself or others (dissociation)
A sense of identity that feels unstable or unclear
For PTSD, evidence-based treatments like Prolonged Exposure Therapy can directly target avoidance and trauma reminders.
The right pathway depends on your history, symptoms, readiness, and goals, which can be clarified during a consultation and assessment.
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Not Sure Which One Fits? Let’s Talk.
A free consultation is a good place to make sense of your symptoms and identify the right kind of support.