Individuals who have endured long-term abuse or suffering are survivors of complex trauma. Such experiences — especially during childhood — can lead to them being diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD). Untreated CPTSD, or untreated complex PTSD, can cause chronic symptoms that seriously hamper their lives. However, when identified and treated, C-PTSD can be managed, processed, and resolved.
But what happens if C-PTSD goes untreated? The ongoing nature of complex trauma increases the likelihood that it’s either unrecognized or the survivor chooses not to seek help. Among many outcomes, untreated C-PTSD can leave victims struggling with long-term effects that arise from changes in their brains.
Untreated CPTSD and Your Brain
The nature of complex trauma is such that it places relentless stress on one’s brain. The abuse and suffering are prolonged and no escape seems possible. Therefore, C-PTSD can force the brain to undergo structural changes in the name of seeking immediate relief. Over time, however, this impact on your brain function will only serve to sustain and exacerbate negative symptoms. The areas of the brain affected include:
- Amygdala: Your amygdala, in ideal conditions, processes your emotions and guides you when reacting to something frightening. Complex trauma causes your amygdala to grow while becoming highly sensitive and overactive. One possible long-term effect of this is an inability to differentiate between real and imagined dangers.
- Hippocampus: Conversely, C-PTSD shrinks the hippocampus. This decreases your ability to process and store memories accurately. Fragmented memories are more likely to prioritize anything negative or frightening from the past.
- Prefrontal Cortex (PFC): Thanks to the PFC, we can stay organized, regulate emotions, and make wise decisions. Complex trauma damages these functions and prevents the PFC from being a counterbalance to your amygdala.
- HPA Axis: When you experience stress the HPA axis regulates the release of stress hormones. Chronically high levels of, for example, cortisol can keep you stuck in a state of hyperarousal. It also causes imbalances in other chemicals (serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine) — bringing about mood swings, anxiety, and more.
Potential Long-Term Effects of Untreated CPTSD
Changes in brain function and structure due to untreated complex trauma have been found to cause:
- Intrusive memories
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks
- Avoidance of anything (people, places, sensations, etc.) that recalls the complex trauma you endured
- Negative moods that involve dissociation, hopelessness, guilt, shame, and an inability to find pleasure in what you once enjoyed
- Being at higher risk for depression which intensifies C-PTSD symptoms while introducing new physical signs
Untreated CPTSD Can Also Result in Physical Distress
The connection between complex trauma and physical conditions is well-documented. Imagine now if the associated C-PTSD is not being addressed. Quite often, this means severe versions of common signs like insomnia, chronic pain, irritability, fatigue, headaches, compromised immunity, and gastrointestinal issues.
Even if the reasons behind the connections are not fully clear, studies find untreated C-PTSD to be associated with:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Autoimmune diseases
The Long-Term Effects Can Feel Existential
If you’re someone who experienced chronic abuse, neglect, or life in a painful situation, you’ve already had to develop drastic coping skills. Often enough, these mechanisms suppress your emotions and memories thus making it feel less necessary to seek help.
But then, years or decades later, you find yourself struggling with nightmares, irrational fears, social withdrawal, and depressed moods. On top of that, you and your doctor cannot find an explanation for the ever-growing list of physical ailments you’re struggling with.
Anyone who is wondering what’s going on in their own life might want to learn more about complex trauma and C-PTSD. Over the course of my 25 years in clinical practice, I would estimate that at least half of the clients who entered my practice and fit the complex ptsd profile had been midiagnosed. This could be because CPTSD was first formalized as a diagnosis in the ICD-11, but is still not a formal diagnosis in the DSM. That may be playing a role in the underdiagnosis of CPTSD.
Did what you read here sound familiar? If so, untreated complex PTSD could help explain your situation and point you in the direction of healing. Reach out to learn more how trauma treatment can help you.
