The impact of trauma — in the short- and long term — can be expansive. Pinpointing cause and effect is challenging, especially when another mental health condition is present. Even seasoned mental health professionals can struggle with parsing out such an overlapping of signs and symptoms. For example, complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) and bipolar disorder are frequently co-morbid. Thus, misdiagnosis is not uncommon for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, since C-PTSD is not in DSM-5, this can create bureaucratic concerns related to billing. Also, not every mental health professional is experienced in treating C-PTSD. Therefore, you must learn about both C-PTSD and bipolar from a therapist with hands-on experience. Let’s start with an overview here.

Understanding the Overlap

Every time two or more disorders are present, the situation is discrete. Each person is unique and each medical condition presents in different ways — alone and in conjunction with the co-morbid issue.

When talking about C-PTSD and bipolar disorder, the underlying commonality is typically trauma. Since C-PTSD is caused by ongoing traumatic experiences, the repetitive nature of this foundation is also conducive to the development of bipolar. A few important factors to keep in mind:

  • It’s not always possible to discern which condition came first. In addition, this scenario doesn’t automatically mean one disorder caused the other. What matters is that your therapist understands how each issue manifests and therefore, how to create a specific treatment plan for you.
  • That said, there is a strong likelihood that C-PTSD symptoms since they affect one’s mood, can intensify bipolar cycles and make them become more frequent.
  • C-PTSD and bipolar disorder can cause symptoms like dissociation or delusions. When co-morbid, a person is far more likely to experience such signs of psychosis.
  • Both conditions are known for triggering complications like substance abuse and suicidal ideation. Again, an overlap of C-PTSD and bipolar increases the incidence of these distressing symptoms.
  • All of the above can add up to a greater risk of relapses after treatment.

Addressing the Overlap

Treatment typically begins with the goal of addressing the underlying trauma. Managing C-PTSD and bipolar becomes less daunting when past traumas have been processed and resolved. It’s almost always the ideal starting point. This is why so many mental health professionals, in scenarios like this, will suggest protocols like:

  • Trauma-focused behavioral therapies
  • Eye movement desensitization therapy (EMDR)
  • Prolonged exposure therapy

Effective treatment is available but it must include careful assessment and evaluation to make certain that informed decisions are being made by everyone involved.  But what about the issue of misdiagnosis that was introduced at the top of this post?

Getting the Proper Diagnosis

The possibility of misdiagnosis cannot and should not be dismissed. For starters, engaging in some serious self-education is an excellent way to better understand and describe what you’re experiencing. This will help your clinician when it comes to making a diagnosis.

Connect with a therapist with whom you can be honest and open. Talk about what you’ve learned and what makes you concerned. Be sure to not hold back about past experiences or current symptoms. Remember, you’re working as a team towards the same goal.

Of course, if any mental health practitioner downplays your concerns and emotions, you are not required to stick with them. Like any relationship, there must be mutual respect and trust. Compatibility is a crucial component of your treatment protocol.

With all this in mind, I invite you to reach out. The first big step in dealing with the overlap of C-PTSD and bipolar disorder is connecting with a practitioner who is experienced with trauma. Let’s talk more about your symptoms, your history, and the options available to help you improve your quality of life.

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