Somatic Patchwork & Hypnotherapy

Acute Traumatic Stress

Is a normal response after exposure to a traumatic event. 

It includes anger fear sadness and somatic symptoms

PTSD

Post traumatic stress disorder occurs when a person does not have the resource is to process the trauma which leads to an overwhelm and the shutting down of processing of the traumatic event. 

Effects of PTSD

• continual persisting psychological and physical logical affects Beyond four weeks

• intrusive habitual thoughts memories and sensations

• on avoidance of reminders of the trauma or event

• negative emotional reactions

Complex-PTSD

No single causal moment. Repeated prolonged exposure two Traumatic events which is often attributed to being onset in childhood and interpersonal in nature. Continued Events with a feeling of no escape. 

• Childhood abuse

• Childhood neglect

• Disrupted attachment

• Domestic violence

• Ongoing social stress and bullying

• Community and political violence

• Prolonged captivity or confinement

C-PTSD is not recognised by the DSM 5 the diagnostic classification of mental illnesses, however The World Health Organisation international classification of diseases includes C-PTSD in the ICD-11

 

PTSD affects on a person are like C-PTSD. However, people with,

C-PTSD have further symptoms:

• Elevated disturbances of self-organisation

• Interpersonal problems

• More prevalent emotional dysregulation compared to PTSD

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Accurate diagnosis of C-PTSD Can be difficult because the symptoms of C-PTSD May be confused with other disorders. This in the past unfortunately led to many survivors being treated for the wrong disorders. If this is your case here all emotions are valid, and you are welcome to discuss them with me.

Disorders may also be co-morbid or combined.

Assess differential diagnosis 

• Major depressive disorder 

• Bipolar disorder

• Generalised anxiety

• PanicComplex-PTSD

• OCD

• Learning disabilities

• Substance abuse

• Personality disorders BPD or DID

• Conversational disorders (psychogenic seizures)

• Psychotic disorders​

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What is Acute Traumatic Stress? is a typical reaction following exposure to a traumatic event, characterised by feelings of anger, fear, sadness, and somatic symptoms.

What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder? (PTSD) develops when an individual lacks the resources to process trauma, leading to overwhelm and an inhibition of processing the traumatic event. Effects of PTSD may include persistent psychological and physiological effects beyond four weeks, intrusive thoughts, memories, and sensations, avoidance of trauma reminders, and negative emotional reactions.

What Is Complex-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? (C-PTSD) arises from repeated, prolonged exposure to traumatic events, often originating in childhood and interpersonal in nature, involving ongoing events with a perceived inability to escape. Examples include childhood abuse, neglect, disrupted attachment, domestic violence, social stress and bullying, community and political violence, and prolonged captivity or confinement. 

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Although C-PTSD is not recognised by the DSM-5, it is included in the World Health Organisation's ICD-11. 

What is different between PTSD and C-PTSD?  PTSD and C-PTSD share similar effects, However C-PTSD also presents with other symptoms such as *disturbances of self-organisation, * interpersonal problems, and more prevalent *emotional dysregulation compared to PTSD. 

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Diagnosing C-PTSD can be challenging due to overlapping symptoms with other disorders, which has historically led to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.

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If you have suffered trauma due to the mental health system in Australia or any other country, please know that you are not alone. It is okay, and even important, to validate all your emotions as part of your healing journey. You deserve a safe space for discussion and support. You are always welcome here. 

What are the Co-morbid disorders of C-PTSD? That may also be present, necessitating assessment for differential diagnoses of C-PTSD: *Major Depressive Disorder, *Bipolar Disorder, *Generalised Anxiety Disorder, *Panic Disorder, *OCD, *Learning Disabilities, *Substance Abuse, *Personality Disorders like *BPD or *DID, *Conversion Disorders (psychogenic seizures), and *Psychotic Disorders.