As terrible as the circumstances can be, trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can often be a straightforward cause-and-effect scenario. You know what happened and the outcomes it has created. Your therapist, therefore, will use this information to design a treatment plan. This is not at all to say it’s easy. But it can be easier to identify a blueprint.
With complex trauma and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD), the variables increase exponentially. The quantity and duration of traumatic events alone are enough to completely shift the equation. Therefore, it makes sense to consider all the factors involved in formulating a therapy methodology for C-PTSD.
What Do We Know About C-PTSD?
It starts with understanding that complex trauma arises from multiple, ongoing traumatic events. This could, for example, mean abuse, neglect, living in a war zone, and so much more. People — especially as children — who feel betrayed, trapped, and hopeless, can display classic PTSD symptoms. In addition, though, C-PTSD also features signs and behaviors that resemble other mental health disorders, e.g. borderline personality disorder (BPD), depression, etc.
More than one condition can be present at once, of course, but current research suggests that C-PTSD is indeed distinct from the disorders it sometimes mirrors. What all this means is that the huge first step toward therapy methodology for C-PTSD is to connect with an experienced, trauma-informed therapist. You’ll need such a guide to confirm the diagnosis and then, work with you to discern what type of approach is ideal for your particular needs.
Learning How to Cope with C-PTSD
Regardless of what treatment or treatments are chosen, someone diagnosed with C-PTSD must be coached on the basic self-help steps they need to take. Complex trauma can cause an abundance of daily distress. Managing and reducing this stress goes a long way in supporting the concurrent treatment plan. On that note, here are a few suggestions:
- Do not withdraw and self-isolate
- Increase stability in your life by slowly expanding your healthy social interactions
- Make healthy eating and drinking choices
- Maintain regular sleep patterns
- Partake in stress management and relaxation techniques
- Be sure to engage in daily physical activity and exercise
- Flex your expression muscles through creative hobbies
- Get outside every day — especially in the sunlight
Depending on your specific situation, some of these ideas may feel quite daunting. Talk to your therapist about easing your way into these challenges.
So, What Therapy Methodology Is Best for C-PTSD?
The word “best” is less than ideal in a general sense. So, think of this question as talking about a very particular plan created solely for you. Undoubtedly, that is what’s “best.” You’ll work alongside a skilled clinician to design an approach that enables you to eschew distorted thinking and reconnect to your deeper self. What those approaches will be, again, depends on your needs. But here are just some of the effective options:
- Psychotherapy: This is a fluid, ever-evolving process but keep in mind, your sessions are yours. You are a collaborator in the task of carving out a new path to recovery.
- Art Therapy: As lightly touched on above, it can be healing to express your emotions in creative ways. It might include choices like drama, movement, music, painting and drawing, reading literature, and watching films — all in the name of self-discovery and sustained recovery.
- Somatic Psychotherapy: Here is where you tap into your inherent mind-body connection. Through movement, breath work, and more, you’ll take a holistic route to the destination of healing.
Therapy methodology for C-PTSD is a vast and promising topic. We’ve just scratched the surface here. To go deeper, I invite you to reach out today.