Mental Health Monday: What Is C-PTSD?

Posted on by gracesmuggler

These slides come from Dr. Nicole LePera, known on social media as The Holistic Psychologist (@the.holistic.psychologist).

Text: Memory issues, being spaced out, + detached from life can be symptoms of C-PTSD. You’re not crazy. And it’s not in your head. Understand C-PTSD:

Text: Unlike a single traumatic event, Complex-PTSD refers to events that took place over and over again in our developmental years.

Text: Examples: Unpredictable or chaotic environments, Financial insecurity, Harsh punishment, Witness to dysfunctional or violent relationships, Parentification (child becomes parent), Emotional neglect (CEN)

Text: Complex trauma activates our internal threat mode.

Text: Threat mode makes us: Hypervigilant: aware of every change in mood, facial expression, and behavior. Highly anxious. Dissociated: spaced out, shut down, numb, frozen (freeze state), depressed.

Text: Symptoms of C-PTSD: Issues with self regulation: low frustration tolerance, easily dysregulated, High anxiety, Emotional flashbacks: high reactivity, “over reactions,” Spaced out and forgetful: misplace things, lose track of time, dissociated (post traumatic shock)

Text: Feelings of being broken, flawed, or unacceptable, Mood swings (poor vagal tone), Tough inner critic, Memory issues

Text: C-PTSD develops from lack of autonomy and an overall feeling of helplessness.

Text: Keys for Healing: Practicing boundaries, Saying no, Asking for needs to be met, Practicing the Pause, Showing up for Self

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