Do You Have C-PTSD?

You have most likely heard the term Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – also known as PTSD. It is used to describe the mental and emotional anguish suffered by those who have experienced sudden trauma, usually a one time incident. PTSD is often experienced by soldiers as well as those who have been victims of rape and other crimes, and even victims of house fires and car accidents.

Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) describes a condition that very much presents like PTSD, the difference being the sufferer experienced prolonged periods of abuse or neglect. This could happen as a result of childhood abuse/neglect or the abuse suffered at the hands of a narcissistic partner.

Diagnosing C-PTSD

Diagnosing C-PTSD is tricky because the symptoms are usually not very unique. That is to say, someone who is suffering from C-PTSD may be experiencing anxiety and lethargy, but these symptoms match other mental health issues.

But it is very important to accurately diagnose C-PTSD because of the necessary treatment measures. The main difference between C-PTSD and other mental health issues – say, bipolar disorder – is that C-PTSD is a result of things that were done TO an individual, and not an intrinsic problem. In other words, someone suffers from C-PTSD because of abuse and neglect at the hands of another and not because of genetically determined brain chemistry.

To help correctly identify C-PTSD, a therapist must uncover an accurate history to understand if:

• The individual has experienced multiple prolonged traumas that have lasted for months (or even years)

• The traumas were caused by someone the individual had a deep interpersonal relationship with and/or someone who was part of their primary care network (most commonly a parent or caregiver)

• These traumas were experienced as permanent features of life, with the individual unable to see any end in sight

• The individual had no control or power over the person traumatizing them

Symptoms of C-PTSD

As I just mentioned, the outward symptoms of C-PTSD may match other mental health disorders. Those symptoms include:

• Flashbacks and nightmares in which the trauma is relived.

• Avoiding people, places, and situations that remind them of the trauma.

• Dizziness or nausea when remembering the trauma.

• Hyperarousal. This is a state of high alert and one they often lived in.

• A belief that the world is a dangerous place.

• A loss of trust in self or others.

• Difficulty sleeping and concentrating.

• Being startled by loud noises.

Treatment for C-PTSD

There are a few different treatment options for people suffering from C-PTSD:

Psychotherapy

Therapy can take place on a one-to-one basis or in a group setting. The focus will be on addressing feelings, improving connections with others, and dealing with anxiety and flashbacks.

EMDR

EMDR stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. This is a process that uses eye movement to help a person desensitize their reactions to a specific traumatic event. The result is the person can eventually recall the memory but have no emotional reaction to it.

Medication

Some individuals may need to be on medications for a while to reduce their anxiety. A therapist can work with you to determine if this is the best course of action.

If you believe you are suffering from C-PTSD and would like to explore treatment options, please be in touch. I’d be happy to discuss how I may be able to help.

Here’s How Social Isolation Affects Your Health

Many of us experienced social isolation during the pandemic. I imagine none of us will deny that those days and weeks were very hard. Thankfully, the pandemic is over, and life for the majority of us has returned to normal. But for some people, social isolation didn’t go away; it is a part of their “normal” existence.

Common Causes of Social Isolation

There are a variety of circumstances that cause people to be isolated from others, or to choose to isolate themselves:

• An abusive relationship – People in toxic relationships often choose to avoid contact with friends and family because they wish to hide their reality from others.

• Grief – It is common to isolate oneself after losing a loved one. This is particularly true for many seniors who have lost many loved ones and friends.

• Mental health issues – Anxiety, depression and low self-esteem can often result in a desire to isolate oneself from the rest of society.

• Physical challenges – Those with limited mobility or other physical challenges may decide life is easier and safer at home.

The Effects of Social Isolation on Your Health

We know there is a strong mind-body connection. How we feel emotionally effects how we feel physically. Studies are now revealing how social isolation can negatively impact our health. Here are just some of the effects on your health:

• Reduced immune function

• Trouble sleeping (which leads to inflammation and a disruption of hormones)

• Poor cardiovascular health

• Poor cognitive function

• Greater chance of stroke

• Decreased wound healing

• Increased risk of dementia

• Higher risks of premature mortality

Coping With Social Isolation

If you are isolated from others for any reason, it is important to recognize you may be suffering mentally, emotionally, and/or physically. Here are some ways you can cope with the situation:

• Practice self-care

• Get outside

• Reconnect with hobbies and interests

• Get help

If you would like to speak to someone about your anxiety or depression caused by isolation as well as the reasons for the isolation, please reach out to me. I offer online therapy for those who feel more comfortable accessing help from home.

SOURCES:

https://publichealth.tulane.edu/blog/effects-of-social-isolation-on-mental-health/

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/social-isolation-mental-health

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/isolation-and-mental-health

The Truth About Perfectionism

We live in a society that values things that appear perfect. And I suppose there are things that can be perfect. Architects can draw the perfect straight line, mathematicians can solve an equation with a perfect calculation, and a chocolate cake can be perfectly moist.

But as human beings, we can never reach a state of perfection because we will always be a work in progress. Perfection indicates a finality – a finished product – but we as humans are always growing and changing.

What is Perfectionism?

Many people view perfectionism as a positive attribute. They believe the more “perfect” they are, the more success they will have in life.

Perfectionism is NOT the same thing as always doing your best. It is important that we always do our best. By doing so, we can experience healthy achievements and growth. But perfectionism takes this concept to the extreme.

People with perfectionist tendencies often have self-defeating thoughts and/or behaviors that actually make it HARDER to achieve their goals.

Perfectionism can often be a by-product of what’s already going on inside a person. It may be a symptom of deeper rooted problems including stress, anxiety, depression, burn out, or OCD. Perfectionism can lead to more serious negative consequences as well, including depression, eating disorders, or suicide. Perfectionism can also have a negative impact on the individual’s relationships because they come to expect perfectionism from everyone around them.

Signs to Look For

Most human beings, from time to time, will strive for perfectionism in some aspect of their life. As an example, that “perfectly moist chocolate cake” I mentioned earlier got that way because the person who baked it was trying to get everything JUST RIGHT as a gift for someone’s birthday.

But there are those people who are “full-time” perfectionists. They strive for perfection in all aspects of their life.

Here are some signs you may be a perfectionist:

• You don’t like to attempt tasks or activities unless you feel you can complete them perfectly.

• You are end-oriented, meaning you focus little on the process of creating or learning something and put all of the emphasis on the outcome.

• You cannot see a task as having been completed unless it meets your perfectionist standards.

• You tend to procrastinate because you don’t like starting a task until you know you can perfectly complete it.

• You tend to take far longer completing tasks than others. This can be problematic at work.

Getting Help

Again, perfectionism is not the same thing as doing your best. It is a condition whereby the individual is almost incapable of feeling joy or pride at what they accomplish because in their own minds, they are never quite good enough.

If you believe you may have traits of perfectionism and it is causing you stress, there are things you can do to find healing and freedom so you can live a healthier and happier life.

Therapy and counseling is often helpful in treating perfectionism. If you’d like to explore treatment options, please reach out to me.

SOURCES:

• https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/perfectionism/overcome

• https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/perfectionism