Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) is a condition that emerges in the presence of prolonged, ongoing trauma. Someone with this diagnosis may exhibit some similar symptoms as those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), e.g. intrusive thoughts, hyper-vigilance, flashbacks, and more. But there’s much more.

C-PTSD can contribute to a wide range of distressing physical symptoms that, at first, may not be recognized as connected. For example, migraine headaches and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are associated with complex trauma. Other related physical issues include cardiovascular disease, sleep issues, chronic pain, and more. For the purposes of this post, we’ll mostly focus on migraines and IBS.

How C-PTSD Can Contribute to Migraines

woman with migraineMigraines can have many root causes by the most common is stress. Thus, it should come as no surprise that anyone dealing with C-PTSD might be at risk. Negative events — even those from long ago — can bring about chronic pain in anyone’s life. Complex trauma survivors can be triggered by flashbacks, etc., and the ensuing stress will, in turn, result in severe headaches.

Research has found a clear link between repetitive trauma and migraines. While the mechanisms have not been discerned, nearly one-third of those who’ve experienced trauma also develop episodic migraines. The reverse has also been observed. Individuals with a history of migraines are at a greater risk of developing C-PTSD in their lives. This could have something to do with dysfunction of the sympathetic nervous system.

How C-PTSD Can Contribute to Gut Issues Like IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome is an intestinal disorder for which diagnoses are based primarily on symptoms like abdominal pain, constipation, bloating, and diarrhea. Its causes aren’t clear, but since it relates to gut health, there could be an association with C-PTSD. Gut health refers to the overall well-being of one’s gastrointestinal system.

Accepting that a bidirectional communication network between the brain and the gut, it’s only to be expected that trauma/complex trauma would influence gut health. C-PTSD is a source of chronic stress. In turn, chronic stress contributes to all the IBS symptoms listed above. Here are two other potential C-PTSD/IBS intersections:

  • Trauma can trigger a dysfunctional activation of our body’s immune system. When trauma is complex and prolonged, the activation is increasingly unhealthy. The result is typically high levels of inflammation that can irritate the gut lining and throw off the microbial balance. Once again, the outcome is IBS-like symptoms.
  • Also, people with C-PTSD almost always cultivate counterproductive coping mechanisms. A common example of this involves overeating and the consumption of so-called comfort foods. This habit, left unchecked, will contribute to gastrointestinal issues like IBS.

C-PTSD Can Contribute to Other Health Conditions

We mentioned a couple of these in the introduction above (cardiovascular disease, sleep issues, and chronic pain) but let’s provide a longer list of possibilities:

  • Ear-ringing and tinnitus, as being in a fight-or-flight state changes how related nerve impulses behave.
  • Otherwise unexplained weight gain thanks to chronically high cortisol levels.
  • Your hands and feet always feel very cold due to you being in a perpetual stress response state.
  • Your skin scars more easily, as fearing that you are in danger, your body pulls water away from the skin to use while in serial mode.
  • Allergies are exacerbated, also from increased cortisol levels.
  • Inability to build muscle, once again from high cortisol levels.

All of This Can Be Managed and Reversed

Of course, it’s important to get treatment for the physical symptoms you’re experiencing. That said, as you work with a therapist to recover from C-PTSD, you will naturally see related improvement in its associated issues. You don’t have to live with C-PTSD. Let’s get you the help you need and deserve.

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