🧠 PTSD & C-PTSD Self-Assessment

Understanding PTSD and C-PTSD: A Comprehensive Guide

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) are mental health conditions that develop in response to traumatic experiences. This guide provides evidence-based information to help you understand these conditions, recognize symptoms, and find appropriate support.

What is PTSD?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. According to the World Health Organization, PTSD affects approximately 3.9% of the global population, with higher rates in conflict-affected regions.

Common causes include:

• Combat exposure (military personnel)
• Physical or sexual assault
• Childhood abuse or neglect
• Serious accidents (car crashes, workplace injuries)
• Natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, fires)
• Terrorist attacks or mass violence
• Sudden loss of a loved one
• Life-threatening medical diagnoses or procedures

What is C-PTSD?

Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) is a condition that develops from prolonged, repeated trauma over months or years, typically in situations where escape was difficult or impossible. C-PTSD was officially recognized in the WHO ICD-11 classification system in 2018.

Common causes include:

• Childhood physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
• Long-term domestic violence
• Human trafficking or captivity
• Prolonged exposure to conflict zones
• Cult involvement or coercive control
• Repeated medical trauma

Research from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) indicates that C-PTSD may affect 1-8% of the general population, with higher rates in clinical settings.

Key Differences: PTSD vs C-PTSD

While both conditions share core symptoms, C-PTSD includes additional challenges:

• PTSD: Single or limited traumatic events; symptoms focused on re-experiencing, avoidance, and hypervigilance
• C-PTSD: Prolonged repeated trauma; includes PTSD symptoms PLUS emotional dysregulation, negative self-concept, and relationship difficulties

Understanding this distinction is important because treatment approaches may differ. C-PTSD often requires longer-term, phase-based therapy addressing attachment and identity issues.

Common Symptoms

Intrusive Symptoms

• Unwanted distressing memories of the trauma
• Nightmares related to the traumatic event
• Flashbacks (feeling like the trauma is happening again)
• Intense emotional distress when reminded of the trauma
• Physical reactions (racing heart, sweating) to trauma reminders

Avoidance Symptoms

• Avoiding thoughts or feelings related to the trauma
• Avoiding people, places, or activities that are reminders
• Emotional numbing or feeling detached
• Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Feeling disconnected from others

Arousal and Reactivity Symptoms

• Being easily startled or frightened
• Always being on guard (hypervigilance)
• Difficulty sleeping
• Irritability or angry outbursts
• Difficulty concentrating
• Self-destructive behavior

C-PTSD Additional Symptoms

• Severe emotional dysregulation (intense emotions, difficulty calming)
• Negative self-concept (shame, guilt, feeling permanently damaged)
• Relationship difficulties (trust issues, isolation, repeated unhealthy patterns)
• Dissociation (feeling disconnected from body or reality)
• Loss of systems of meaning (hopelessness, despair)

When to Seek Professional Help

Consider reaching out to a mental health professional if:

• Symptoms persist for more than one month
• Symptoms interfere with daily life, work, or relationships
• You're using substances to cope
• You're having thoughts of self-harm or suicide
• You feel overwhelmed or unable to function

Effective treatments exist. Evidence-based therapies include:

• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)
• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for emotional regulation
• Somatic therapies (body-based approaches)

Self-Help Strategies

While professional treatment is essential, these strategies can support your healing:

• Grounding techniques: 5-4-3-2-1 exercise, breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation
• Safety planning: Identify triggers, create coping strategies, build support network
• Sleep hygiene: Consistent schedule, calming bedtime routine, limit screens
• Physical activity: Gentle exercise, yoga, walking in nature
• Mindfulness: Meditation, journaling, present-moment awareness
• Connection: Support groups, trusted friends, family, online communities

Global Mental Health Resources

Support is available worldwide. Here are trusted resources:

• Find A Helpline — Crisis lines in 200+ countries
• WHO Mental Health — Global mental health information
• ISTSS — International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
• Psychology Today — Therapist directory (multiple countries)
• PTSD Alliance — Evidence-based PTSD information

You Are Not Alone

Millions of people worldwide experience PTSD and C-PTSD. Your symptoms are valid responses to abnormal situations. Healing is possible, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

This resource was created with care by the DoRitual Network. We believe everyone deserves access to mental health information and support, regardless of location or financial situation.