the DSM does not recognise CPTSD as a diagnosis. Here in NZ if you have PTSD from multiple trauma it is diagnosed as such.
I’m interested in other countries interpretation of the diagnostic DSM manual and why they diagnose CPTSD as opposed to PTSD from multiple trauma. A psychiatrist, I believe is bound by the DSM manual, and woukd diagnose PTSD from multiple events.
Hi Lindyloo,
Good question.
There is lobbying to include C-PTSD in DSM. It is included in the other manual, ICD- 10 and 11.
Different countries, different manuals.
I refer to my diagnosis as PTSD because I have met criteria for both so it is easier.
I have a pinned post about the differences:
It’s a difficult thing to explain I agree. For me the more exact term was CEN or childhood emotional neglect. It’s not something you had happen to you but rather something you did not have happen to you. Most of the time as a child you may have felt your family was normal when it really wasn’t. It
Is really subtle and warps your whole outlook on life but you don’t k ow why and can’t put your finger on it without help and insight. It is an ongoing thing your whole childhood.
If you look at it that way you can see why it would be complex ptsd as it is ongoing and has so many factors feeding into that are very subtle. I don’t know if that helps but I took a shot at it!
It makes sense to me, Gillyflower18.
Part of my childhood trauma was emotional neglect (all kinds of neglect) and there was abuse so it is all intertwined in my case.
I found several good posts on Childhood Emotional Neglect.
Here are the results:
healthunlocked.com/healmypt...
Very important topic...
Thanks for the reply I hoped I was on right track! I’ll check out your research. You may want to get the book Running on Empty by Dr Jonice Webb. It can be very helpful. I too had trauma plus emotional neglect as a pre teen. My was medical in nature but it sure didn’t help me. Most emotional neglectful parents don’t do it consciously. It comes from their backgrounds and mental problems. They can provide you with all the material stuff you need but have no connection with emotionally. It leaves you feeling like part of you is missing.
when I was diagnosed CPTSD, I asked if that was the same as PTSD. My diagnoser said the only difference is multiple experiences vs a single experience causing the ptsd. Same symptoms and such.
Hi this is interesting!
My understanding is that some experts consider complex PTSD to be a relational or attachment trauma stemming from inadequate or abusive treatment from parents/caregivers.
Thank you for sharing this, WaitingGame.
I remember reading about this and there are many different sources so the definition is going to be different depending on which source it is.
When I read about it, it said that C-PTSD had a long term aspect/repeated trauma.
My personal understanding is that the relational trauma like childhood emotional abuse and neglect is a part of a bigger diagnoses which could mean that attachment trauma is one aspect/scenario of C-PTSD.
C-PTSD applies to prisoners of war for example. Any kind of long term inescapable traumatic situation.
Rereading the article I shared above, I found myself feeling that some of the descriptions are stigmatising. It is probably a sign of the times as things have changed since then.
Personally, I feel we would need to rewrite and change things to be less stigmatising and also more inclusive of new challenges and how the world has changed since then.
I am not the author but I was very thankful that they included our forum in their resources and that they are doing such a fantastic job trying to change things, bring new ideas forward. I think things change with time and we do live in a different world.
Another thought is about preventing PTSD.
Pete Walker’s book Complex Ptsd: From surviving to thriving does a great job of describing Cptsd and what can we do about it.
Thank you, for sharing this recommendation.
Totally agree, Artemisraluca. He is a great resource and I recommend it too.
Stuck with PTSD and want recovery desperately.
Focusing on PTSD makes it worse for me
PTSD Partner
