Complex PTSD
What is Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Complex PTSD presents with some similar symptoms to PTSD, with notable differences. Complex PTSD is diagnosed in individuals who have experienced repeated trauma (neglect, violence, abuse). Complex PTSD is thought to be more severe if is was experienced early in life, was caused by a caregiver, if the trauma was experienced over a long period of time and if there is ongoing contact with the person who caused the trauma.
Complex PTSD is often rooted in childhood experiences and is thought to change the course of brain development. Behaviour and self confidence can be affected. People with Complex PTSD may lose trust in other people and feel separated/distanced from others.
What Are the Symptoms of Complex PTSD?
Symptoms of Complex PTSD may include:
- Anxiety and depression
- Physical symptoms (pain, dizziness, headaches, etc.)
- Feelings of guilt and shame
- Feeling disconnected/dissociated
- Difficulty thinking
- Difficulty establishing healthy relationships
- Risky behaviour
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Therapy for Complex PTSD
PSYCHOTHERAPY AND COUNSELLING
Renew clinicians use a broad range of tools in order to support your recovery. These include Cognitive Behavioural strategies, Dialectical Behaviour strategies, distress tolerance, behaviour activation, stress and anxiety management, emotion regulation training, graded exposure therapies, setting boundaries, etc. Learn more about psychotherapy at Renew.
LIFESTYLE CHANGES AND BRAIN HEALTH SUPPORT
Current research tells us that basic strategies such as daily exercise, good nutrition, healthy work-life balance, spending time with loved ones, enjoying relaxation time, decreasing screen time, prioritizing and optimizing sleep, and more, have a significant positive impact on mental health.
Renew therapists can support you in restructuring your daily routine, setting boundaries, establishing realistic goals and identifying priorities as you shift to a healthier and more balanced life.
ATTENTION, MEMORY AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTION SUPPORT
Chronic anxiety has been shown to have a detrimental effect on brain function. Clients discuss difficulty with attention and memory. They often comment on struggling to organize their thoughts, and feeling immobilized with the prospect of never-ending to do lists.
Renew therapists are experienced in providing cognitive rehabilitation and support. They will assist you in developing strategies and tools that will both support symptoms in the short term, and promote long-term recovery.
RETURN TO WORK/SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Debilitating symptoms can be a barrier to participating in work, school, or even social or community activities. Once your symptoms are sufficiently improved to allow you to return to the parts of your life that you have lost, your therapist will be able to help you develop a plan for success with a return to work/school program.
NEUROFEEDBACK
Neurofeedback therapy begins with a brain map that can show your therapist the patterns of brain function that may contribute to your symptoms. Once the patterns are identified, brain training sessions can be completed to help ‘normalize’ and/or reorganize the brain activity to improve its ability to function more efficiently and flexibly. Once the brain is better able to regulate itself, symptoms are better managed.
Anxiety symptoms typically respond well to neurofeedback.
NEUROMEDITATION
Neuromeditation is a style of meditation that takes your brain activity and natural skills into account. By assessing your skills prior to beginning meditation training, you and your therapist are able to identify meditation styles that best match your personality and lifestyle. Clients typically report that learning to meditate is less difficult when applying neuromeditation techniques.