Complex trauma results when wounding to a person takes place over a long period of time.  For instance, a child who is verbally ridiculed daily over the course of years is very likely to experience complex trauma and complex post-trauma stress due to the way the fight or flight nervous system was continuously activated and in survival mode/prepped for danger at warp speed. 

 

Signs of Complex Trauma/Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Overwhelming emotions that are difficult to manage, such as:

Rage

Feeling as if oneself or others/circumstances are not “real”

Feeling disconnected in relationships

Failure to trust others as safe

Avoiding situations and people that feel “triggering”

 

It is easy to understand that when trauma is caused by a caregiver when one is a child and dependent on that caregiver for their very survival in ways such as for food, clothing, shelter, medical care, etc…, that the child will be stuck in a difficult situation.  

 

The Double Bind

Children may not like being called names or being physically hurt, but they are not old enough or strong enough to take actions to protect themselves such as driving away, moving out, or fighting back and winning against an adult body.  

 

So, the child learns to compromise their own needs and instincts to fight back so that they will continue to be able to be provided for and survive.  After months or years of this, the anger, rage, sadness, confusion, and such get turned inward because it is not safe to express them outwardly, so it is the lesser of two evils.

 

Complex Trauma Can Last a Lifetime If Not Treated

 Often, when abuse happens over a long period of time, it can be accepted as “normal.”  It may be years before a victim of such abuse even recognizes the abuse as wrong and harmful.  This may be due to surviving by not consciously allowing oneself to consider the awful thought and resulting feelings of, “why would my parent want to hurt me, I must be bad?”

 So, the trauma gets stuffed down inside as a way to survive the unthinkable and unbearable pain.

 

Complex Trauma and Mental Health Conditions

 If not treated, complex trauma can lead to depression, addiction, anxiety, panic attacks, attachment issues, self-harm, and even suicidality, and, of course, PTSD.

 

You May Be A Complex PTSD Survivor if:

•  You get highly out-of-sorts emotionally or mentally in certain situations, more than the situation would logically lend itself to

•  You feel as though you are reliving painful times in flashbacks

• You are experiencing nightmares

•  You feel numb and detached from life and others

•  You avoid certain situations or discussions

•  You struggle with self-esteem

•  You escape into binging behaviors

•  You are a danger to yourself

 

You Can Heal

 It is possible to heal from Complex Trauma and Complex PTSD, but it will likely involve therapeutic treatments that take your nervous system regulation into account, allowing you not just to think and talk your way through to healing but in being able to help your system recognize that it is presently safe, has survived, and can relax muscles, breathing, and hyper-vigilance rather than being constantly in reactive defense mode waiting to see if you can survive.

 

You have survived.  If you need help to feel that in the present and to heal your nervous system, reach out to us.

Written by guest blogger Michelle Croyle