Awareness & Understanding
Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) Awareness
When harm happened again and again, healing often takes time and safety.
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) is a term used for the effects some people experience after prolonged or repeated trauma — such as ongoing abuse, neglect, domestic violence, captivity or trafficking — especially when escape felt impossible.
Learn
What C-PTSD is
The World Health Organization recognizes complex PTSD in its ICD-11 classification. It includes the core experiences of PTSD plus lasting difficulties with emotions, self-worth and relationships. Only a qualified professional can assess or diagnose it.
Experiences often described
- Intense emotions that are hard to calm, or feeling numb and shut down
- Deep shame, guilt or a sense of being worthless or 'broken'
- Difficulty trusting others or feeling close to people
- Feeling disconnected from yourself or your surroundings
- Flashbacks that are emotional — sudden waves of fear or sadness without a clear memory
- Being very alert to others' moods to stay safe
Treatment and support
Many people with complex trauma do get better. Care often begins with building safety and stability, then gently working through trauma with a trauma-informed therapist. Approaches such as trauma-focused therapy, EMDR and skills for emotional regulation help many people. Safe relationships and community can be part of healing.
“The ways you learned to survive made sense.”
Staying quiet, staying alert, pleasing others or shutting down may have protected you. Those responses aren't flaws — and with safety and support, they can slowly soften.
Recognize
- Feeling like something is wrong with who you are, not just what happened
- Relationships that feel unsafe even when they aren't
- Big emotional reactions that seem to come from nowhere
These are things people commonly describe — not a checklist for diagnosis.
Find support
- If you are in danger now, call 911 (or your local emergency number). If you are thinking about suicide, call or text 988.
- If you are still in an unsafe situation, the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788) can help you plan safely.
- Talk with a licensed mental health professional experienced in complex trauma.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- National Domestic Violence Hotline — 1-800-799-7233
- RAINN — 1-800-656-4673
- A trauma-informed licensed therapist
Journal
What helps me feel even a little bit safe right now?
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Educational and supportive only — not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please talk with a qualified healthcare professional about your own situation.