What is post-traumatic stress?

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a set of responses that occur when the mind and body remain in a state of high alert after a traumatic experience, constantly scanning for perceived danger (Kraybill, 2019). While classified as a disorder, PTSD can be understood as a form of nervous system injury. The nervous system undergoes an immediate and often seemingly permanent shift in how it perceives and processes information, a survival mechanism designed to protect against future threats. This heightened state persists until the individual actively works to resolve the nervous system's dysregulation. While it can feel incredibly unfair that another person's actions can cause such lasting internal struggle, this is the reality of PTSD.

What is complex post-traumatic stress?

Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) develops as a result of prolonged or repeated trauma, often experienced as unending. Common examples include child abuse (emotional, physical, verbal, and mental), domestic violence, sexual abuse, and war, though these experiences can occur in countless combinations.

A key feature of C-PTSD is the presence of emotional flashbacks. During an emotional flashback, an individual may be aware of their current surroundings and actions, yet their mind and body react as if the past trauma is happening again. This can lead to overwhelming emotions and a sense of being completely hijacked by one's own internal experience. The individual might observe themselves reacting in ways they don't intend, creating a feeling of being out of control and generating further distress and self-criticism. This internal storm can feel like an urgent need to escape or alleviate the intense pain and overwhelm, often resulting in actions that are later regretted once the emotional intensity subsides and the individual attempts to reconnect with others.