complex PTSD
Prolonged abuse aftermath
Complex PTSD is a psychological condition resulting from prolonged, repeated trauma—typically childhood abuse, domestic violence, or captivity—rather than a single traumatic event.
It shares symptoms with standard PTSD (flashbacks, hypervigilance, avoidance) but adds persistent difficulties with emotional regulation, self-perception, and relationships.
People with complex PTSD often struggle with shame, feelings of emptiness, and difficulty trusting others.
Sometimes abbreviated C-PTSD or cPTSD.
- traumaLasting psychological wound
- flashbacksInvoluntary vivid memory episodes
- hypervigilanceHeightened threat sensitivity
- dissociationMental separation from surroundings
- triggersCauses or activates
nightmares · survival · shame · numbness · freeze · fight · flight · fawn · attachment · trauma bond · inner child · boundaries · healing · therapy · somatic · nervous system · dysregulation · childhood
- traumaabuse, abandonment, abandonment trauma, acute stress, amnesia
- childhood traumaabuse, neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse, ACEs
complex PTSDpsychological health
State of emotional wellbeing
mental wellness · emotional wellbeing · post-traumatic growth · resilience · emotional regulation
complex PTSDsecure attachment
Reliable caregiver-child emotional bond
complex PTSDmental health
Emotional and cognitive well-being
emotional stability · post-traumatic growth · resilience · thriving · emotional regulation
complex, PTSD, complexes, complexity, complexion, complexly, stressed