What is Complex PTSD and How can it be Managed?

In this webcast, Dr. Frank Ochberg, an expert on traumatic stress explains how to cope and manage your chronic PTSD symptoms.

[@perrinfan]

I have this. It is hell. And it was 100% preventable by the people charged to raise me. Growing up in a highly abusive home is like being a prisoner of war.

[@GeckoHiker]

I've felt the same way. A child is a prisoner of war in an abusive home. They have no way to escape. Nothing they do can change the situation. I hope you are surviving this. I've tried to forgive, but I've said this and meant it--if my mother is in heaven I want to go to hell, because I never want to see the bitch again.

[@perrinfan]

@@GeckoHiker Do you ever envy people who appear to having functioning families?

[@GeckoHiker]

@@perrinfan I don't envy anyone because I've learned that there is a painful reality behind nearly every facade. I'm happy for people who have not yet encountered the evil I've seen in my childhood.

[@perrinfan]

@@GeckoHiker You are right. Most people have loss and sadness. But I have met a few people who actually had a decent childhood. They are so sweet because they cannot comprehend our sadness. They long felt everyone was as privileged as them.

[@horsewomn]

Yes it is.

[@tomwiggz]

“You had to behave in a certain way to survive” that line hit me like a brick wall 😞

[@thewhorenextdoor8268]

Me too, I became a sex worker to survive

[@jlnioannou]

The hardest thing about Complex Ptsd is that even though you might be in therapy for years and it gets better, you realize that it's a chronic condition and it won't just disappear. It's exhausting and frustrating. I have to live with fear, pain and shame practically every day of my life. It's very hard...

[@perfectday777]

Check out From Surviving To Thriving here on KZbin.

[@nikkcox2880]

The best cure for complex ptsd is psychopathy

[@MissBehaven1974]

sad we share same situaton .. I wish you all the best.. human kindness

[@jlnioannou]

I discovered this comment I made 2 years ago, thanks to everyone who commented for your kind words :-)

[@timothymcdonnell7942]

This really sucks. I've been doing BPD Therapy for two years and was starting to feel better but have suddenly become so filled with shame and remorse that I can't stand it. I put my mask on again because I have to function. I hate this.

[@davidcunningham2984]

That's not all you need to do. The hard part is letting go of the pain, learning to not perceive everything as a personal threat or affront. You were taught in childhood a very negative view of yourself and the world. That view comes to the front whenever there is stress.

[@GeckoHiker]

You can't get past it. You can learn to live with it, but you can never get past it. The traumas that create complex post traumatic stress disorder happen so early and so often that it becomes your normal. So living paranoid and learning to protect yourself is your only defense against repeated trauma. You grow up as a paper doll, because you are not allowed to have emotions. Only your abuser can have emotions. You are just a two-dimensional prop in their world of pain. Yes, we can look back and analyze what happened, even rationalize what happened. But that doesn't ever get rid of what happened on a constant basis during your formative years. This is the hardest mental illness to overcome because it was preventable. CPTSD is a repeated injury, not a personality disorder. Children can be resilient, but they are forever changed by constant abuse. Dr. Phil once said that when you scream at your children and hurt them you change who they are.

[@antoinettemeurer7572]

I don;t have a problem trusting people, I have a problem with trusting people too easily and too soon.

[@LuxMeow]

Same, it probably means you're a trustworthy person as we tend to see others as like us but they are not.

[@Stigmatix666]

Me too. I've heard countless times that makes me a pushover and a brilliant candidate for narcissistic/sociopathic/psychopathic abuse..

[@janakakumara3836]

C-PTSD is the worst. Having said that, getting diagnosed with it and learning about it has really set a part of me free, because I finally understand what was going on with my mind and have words do describe various aspects of the things I experience every waking minute.

[@KajDalfall]

I suffer from complex PTSD (learned that today) I have two brothers that suffer from PTSD from the same experiences.Because of prolonged childhood trauma (violence, death, insecurity, abuse etc)I have suffered from it ever since and I am 47 today. I have big trouble trusting anyone even them that tries to help me. So I isolate with My dogs. The only ones I do trust fully are my children( have both adult children and a 11yo)Thank you for bringing attention to PTSD and complex PTSD.Greetings from Scandinavia.

[@pettylane5731]

I have complex PTSD from domestic violence and a narcissistic mother

[@annalouise53]

Same ☹️

[@soulTraveller144]

💖

[@soulTraveller144]

@@annalouise53 💝

[@mercurymajesty]

Neglected and rejected. Never felt protected. I was exploited then avoided, and ultimately destroyed.

[@TheLaureea]

When he says “with the person who didn’t have the milk of human kindness”… it is beautiful . Yeah whether it was family or close close friend or a teacher or a manager anyone wise behavior had major impact on us

[@rinoapage]

I grew up in ... well... I grew up in a bad situation. It's funny how it's hard to even say that. After putting several hundred miles between me and all that as an adult and moving to another city, I found myself falling for a guy who put me right back into those circumstances. After a while my friends got me out of that relationship... and yet I still miss him! I think the hardest thing for me, has been the choosing of healthy people in my life TODAY and not falling back into old patterns.

[@feralLove]

This is my story. My biological mom's a narcissist and her gift to me was complex p.t.s.d. I'm so thankful for all the informative utube videos available on the subject which have helped me greatly in gaining insight and understanding into my dibilating condition and healthy ways to cope and alleviate distressing symptoms. 🙏💜

I had to survive...

[@axntdcy1124]

As a sufferer of c-ptsd I'd like to encourage and thank all who participate in the research of this baffling and devastating disorder. Having experienced multiple traumas, my brain doesn't even function as well as it did when I dealt with simpler versions of ptsd. It sometimes mystifies me completely. In some ways, also, I see and do (art) things much more brilliantly. But sadly, the sheer mind boggling dysfunction I now experience has rendered me disabled. I am quite sure that MANY more people suffer from this than would ever admit, or will ever be known. We suffer because we are human. Our reaction to horror is truly normal.

[@stephanec2663]

@anon dear one try Kambo medicine and ayahuasca retreat (great one's are in Peru with spiritual energy work that is the answer not western drug medicine or just therapy... It is an unbalance in the mental emotional and psychic energies field... there is hope many got out of this nightmare.... you are an extra sensitive soul and not aligned and unaware of your gift therefore can't use it properly here....and feels like a curse to you... blessing and good recovery to you

[@KajDalfall]

I have nothing to go back to. Complex ptsd iis something I have lived with since my childhood.

[@perfectday777]

Kaj Dalfall Same with me! However, a new normal, even for the first time is possible!

[@Stigmatix666]

@@perfectday777 What's the point in restarting your life from scratch? I'm in my 40's, my depression is part of me, it's comforting and also the source of my art! Getting rid of my depression would kill the artist in me, and also my last reason to live!

[@proefpa]

@@Stigmatix666 I can relate to that so hard!

[@sosojoly3657]

I have c-ptsd from bullying. I've been bullied for 7 years, I have not gone through physical abuse ( well i underestimate it, paper tosses on me, making me trip intentionally , doors shut in my face and others ) but it has been mostly psychological damages, i have learned so many things like not crying in front of others cause it makes it worse, do not talk to adults about it cause they will be consequences, do not fight back they will immediatly blame you and have more people destroying you. Ironically what saved me was the fact I thought it was normal, for me crying alone in my bed or the restrooms was normal, getting attacked all day was normal and smiling going home and embellish my day was normal . But one day I couldn't do it anymore, my legs were refusing to lead me to class, I had my only friend with me in the hallway and I burst into tars saying I can't do it anymore.I have understood that it is not normal for a 14 year old girl to go through depression , it is not normal for a mother to wake up in the middle of the night and checking yif your daughter hasn't commit suicide or harmed herself. Know that I'm out of it, I have panick attaks, avoid homework and tests because all I can think about are the words they told me, I dissociate and just sit there staring. People don't understand the impact it still ahs on me and it demolishes my parents to see that I'm still daily affected by it. The abuse do not stop when you are no longer in this situation of constant danger, it continues years after and we built ourselves around it, our personality is affected by it.Our view of the world is affected by it.

[@sosojoly3657]

Yes but now i'm back at it, i did this comment what seems a long time ago, yes my brain is conditioned to place itself in a victim situation, I am currently learning to overcome this situation and i'm now discovering a whole new good mental area for myself by diminishing the comebacks with therapy and trying to take control of my life again. Its a hard process when your brain is conditionned for you to be in a situation of victim but if you stay in the same system you won't live your life like you want to, its a hard decision to make to go against what your brain is conditionning you to do but what do we lose trying to overcome that ? Nothing make a beautiful life for yourself! You are in control even if it doesn't seem so !@

[@Grombow45]

💗🙏💗

[@palmamingozzi5736]

Both my parents were abusive, I’m tired of thinking about it. Moving on!

[@Stigmatix666]

So were mine. And my class "mates". And a couple of my ex gf's, who were clearly sociopathic. I cannot move on, I'm stuck! I've walked on eggshells for over 40 years, exposed to gaslighting, receiving real death-threats, sexual abuse and so forth.. My depression is actually comforting, and a source of artistic value! Why would I want to get rid of that an restart my life from scratch? I'd rather die!

[@Nimue333]

Mine were and still are very loving but they were extremely naive-stupid! They trusted anyone and were extremely good to also everyone!

[@punyashloka4946]

@@Stigmatix666 sorry to hear that please don't loose hope.

[@scarred10]

Thinking wont do anything and neither will moving on if it still destroys your adult life,you need trauma focussed therapy over a prolonged time.

[@Tr0kel]

I got good at making people laugh. No matter how much joy i brought to people. I always hated myself.

[@marymartin1248]

For a person who suffers from this, he explained this accurately and with compassion. However the title mentions about how to handle it and sadly that is not discussed. Also many people in the mental health field are not familiar with this term and I have yet to find someone who is knowledgeable of this condition in my area of NC.

[@perfectday777]

Check out From Surviving To Thriving here on KZbin. There is hope for recovery.

[@delphinium5555]

I have found the very best help for Complex Ptsd through listening to Tanja Windegger's videos on youtube and longer ones on her fb pages. She has amazing insight having the same issues herself. I really recommend her anyone suffering to listen to her speaking on the subject.

[@earth2lana]

Thank you for sharing. I thought I was alone. Took me a long time to overcome night terrors from years of trauma. Now I hope one day I’ll overcome the fear of being loved. ❤️

[@deshaunwhitfield4980]

I'm a vet of IRQ and AFG. This definitely applies to combat PTSD as well. Good stuff.

[@AntiqueDepth]

We should start a page or something. this was so moving to me. i too deal with struggles that are seemingly out of my control, but haunt me everyday. I wake up panicking, sweating, I then stay up all night and dread the morning to only feel completely bogged down, fight or flight, everything and nothing.. just words to describe only a minuscule number of my symptoms. I have been in therapy for over a year now and creating a safe space there is the only human being that I feel truly open and vulnerable with. This is the hardest thing, second to everything that has caused these intrusive thoughts, body aches, mental twists if that can even describe it. It is indeed a fight everyday to fight.. one step at a time and I feel my life, being 21 and incapacitated is going to be very hard in terms of finding a partner, a job that suits my desires etc. My hands are placed over my heart for everyone experiencing such a chronic, blanketed term that cannot even begin to define what each of us individually feel.

[@mistymountainhopper]

Would you create a space for us to come together somehow? I can't even find an anxiety group let alone a c pstd group to talk to in my city- my countrys capital! I'm ready and I am on the hunt! 💓

[@ukcrb6187]

I was wrongly diagnosed with BPD, now I have a diagnoses of Complex PTSD, but I was NOT traumatised by my family or anyone when I was young . I was abused within therapy and by social services who WRONGLY accused me of being a bad mother. I made a complaint against them and won compensation against social services. But MH professionals will not admit they emotionally abused me over many years, when they most certainly did.

[@Stigmatix666]

Same thing happened to me. Even worse, my narc mother manipulated my therapist(s) behind my back

[@NorthernFella]

wow - I knew I was neglected as a child as I grew up in the care system but on reading my files I was sadistically abused as well ! this is an extract "On one occasion he was not allowed to come down into his mother had finished our lengthy talk with me and when he cried a little she went up and told him not to cry and she started to smack him as he cried and a total of this was 17 smacks by the time I got up there. This dominating of his thoughts to prevent him from crying was a common occurrence in front of the health visitor and myself and indeed members of the " I have no conscious memory of incidents documented in my file which was in front of other people so I cant imagine what happened when people werent around but I live with anxiety, depression, body dysmorphia, have a persoanlity disorder and regualr suicidal thoughts and idealation.

[@erlsv]

As a firefighter/paramedic for over 30 years, I know all to well what PTSD is all about. I struggle constantly with my anxiety and my attempts to make sense of what goes on in my head. I hope that someday that I will heal and try to live a normal existence again. Thank you so much........ Ed

[@elhadjdiallo633]

Yes yes cptsd and trauma have almost ruined my life !!!!!! As I'm speaking to you right now I live in the shelter due to the narcissists abuse by my extended family members !!!!! I really do need help please sir !!!! I shouldn't be in the shelter at all because I know for sure I deserve better than that....I know my worth and value etc. ... thank you I will be waiting for your request promptly!!!!!

[@Black.Sabbath]

@@elhadjdiallo633 I shouldn't have been on the streets but I was due to a narcissist and corrupt government.

[@elhadjdiallo633]

The only way to heal is when you close the doors for toxic and delusional people !!!!!!!!! That existed in this universe

[@emilyjane198]

Thank you. You are very compassionate and I appreciate that.

[@elinbirgis]

Sometimes the abuser is loving, it’s important to speak openly about that part because being a child in world of addiction is really confusing and if every one speaks about abuse as something evil, the people in narcissistic abusive families will have difficulty relating to the information.

[@Stigmatix666]

I'm sorry, but that's delusional.. Yes, most people like to believe "everyone is good deep down".. But those people have never met psychopaths, sociopaths or narcissists..

[@raggersly]

I have a child in it right NOW. Betrayal trauma from every trusted teacher after 3 years of attached and healthy relationships with them. One new teacher came. One bad teacher planted seeds, spread her hatred working from outer people into her circle of trusted teachers. All that were safe became unsafe and the environment was hostile every day until she could no longer face setting foot inside the school. She is unable to be in any public situation, trust any adult or teacher and no longer in school. She is 15. It destabilized and crushed her.

[@chrischarles9324]

I have had this for 10 years. I wak up every day knowing the whole day is ruined. I replay the verbal abuse I received over about 5 hours one night in 2008. During that night I told the people doing it I was having a mental breakdown. On hearing this they intensified the abuse and actively sought to disorientate me . My life is totally ruined. I tried to kill myself this Christmas because of the associated panic attacks.

[@harry356]

It really sucks Chris. I hope you are still on this earth. Look into the following therapies: eft (and later emdr), and check the following supplements: lithium orotate 5 - 20 mg a day, cbd oil: 10-40 mg a day, also take a good form of magnesium, omega 3 and if possible the life extension one per day multivitamin. You will improve quickly, I hope to the point where you can get professional therapy. I have c-ptsd and chronic fatigue due to organised/ritual abuse. Hope this helps.

[@BecomeConsciousNow]

Wow! That was so well put. I wish this video was longer because I could of listened to this guy for a lot longer.

[@jimbrennan5512]

excellent!! this gentleman knows his stuff!!

[@atomicsnowflake]

My foster mother tortured and neglected me for six years when I was a child. I’m nearly 50 now. The pain will end once I’m dead. I’m just waiting for death.

[@naturegirl1270]

I hope God can heal all your pain, no human or child deserves that.

[@dirtydogsbollocks7073]

Complex PTSD is what I have and it seems impossible to overcome

[@psu893]

“The more real you get the more unreal the world gets. ” ― John Lennon

[@perfectday777]

DirtyDogsBollocks You can get better! Go to From Surviving To Thriving here on KZbin. She has helped me tons!

[@nikkcox2880]

It's not impossible..just think in your head that you want to change .You will get better

[@Sunset553]

In my case, someone finally let on that it’s not going away. I was shocked at first but I’m used to the idea now. I’m learning coping techniques so things can go a little better.

[@mazybee9149]

Thank you, I really appreciate how you are so clear and kind in your explanation on living with CPTSD . I'm on the road to recovery, I have slowly worked out I have probably gained disassociation personality disorder from having to survive using various coping strategies of abuse. I think I have to get professional therapy for that part so relearning the correct reactions to go with the correct situations,it's very hard work. What keeps me moving forward is my drive for being free to forever dream.

[@granto798]

Of all the videos I watched on the topic, his is by far the best.

[@betsyusher8652]

Just Explained so well. Just so digestible and relatable.

[@spcooper94]

This is an accurate depiction. It perfectly describes me

[@autumnsecret5834]

is there really cure or something to recover from complex ptsd,trouma of sexually physically abused by my family? it's hard to being a relationship,any kinds of friendship..my life has been rough and hate it when people ask me about my family..i feel like i can't find anyone who won't run away..my story just scare people away.i'm so sick of this..so tired.just tired..

[@outofthegoldfishbowletcete762]

thank you very much. This is very helpful.

[@gregmathews715]

Really insightful, spot on for me

[@jacqslabz]

"You were denied a mother" yeah that about sums it up. My mom regretted being talked into having me instead of going to college basically every single day. She refused to hold me when I was born, so she never bonded to me. She wasn't sweet or nice by default when talking to me (a friend noticed that right around the time I left home). I wasn't wanted, I wasn't loved. If a woman doesn't want to be a mother, she will not be a good mother. If a mother hates her child, it will f-up that child.

[@NN57143]

This is my experience too. The feeling of shame and of being unlovable is profound. And that is only one aspect of the abuse I’ve endured. It is too much to tell a friend or lover so I don’t- and then they never really know me. I am very alone with my pain and memories.

[@callusbig4155]

Thank you for this video!

[@TanjaWindegger]

thank you, love your explanation of complex PTSD :)

[@KB-tg7pf]

These videos are so helpful!

[@Gemisnotmyname]

Chosing your friends and partners wisely has soo much to say!

[@shaniecegullison]

Amazing video thank you so much for this

[@SubRosa33]

Hes the best Dr Ochberg

[@norahma9609]

I have this too.. after tortures. Few years ago. It's a hard dark forest with no one to understand you.. but since a really war was started that condition become even worth. But if I get there - I must find a way how to get out. Thanks for your lectures. Greetings from Ukraine.

[@Stigmatix666]

PTSD is *not* simply a veteran decoration, *anyone* can suffer from it. I'm a civilian. I was bullied and beaten mostly every day from kindergarden through high school *and* at home. My mother is a narcissist who has done everything in her power to manipulate and control me all my life. I watched my closest friend die. I've had three (3!) sociopathic/psychopathic ex girlfriends who has manipulated me, gaslighted me into believing I was crazy, sexually assaulted me (yes, it's possible) and even tried to murder me. I've walked on eggshells and lived in constant fear for my own safety and my own life for over 40 years! I'm a nervous wreck, I have flashbacks, panic attacks, chronic depression. I have to take 3-4 valiums (benzodiazepin) simply to manage to go to the shop. I've isolated myself completely and drown my sorrows in booze and prescription drugs. And yes, I just wanna die cause I see no hope and no future! How's that for civilian complex ptsd? Also as a guy in my 40's, I don't even *want* to get rid of my depression! It's an intrinsic part of me and my art! I don't want to start my life all over again. No gonna happen. If the depression was to disappear, I would kill myself in an instant. Believe it or not, it's comforting.. "Hello darkness, my old friend" indeed.

[@psychominded3243]

A story very similar to mine, I am sorry you went through what you did.

[@richardsimpson9102]

This is a Credible video, unlike some others like Katie's vid.

[@heiroot]

Hers was awful

[@yoedgar17]

great video!

[@idrawallthingsgood2me782]

So... I suffered ongoing abuse and trauma for several years and I was diagnosed with Severe and Chronic PTSD. The thing that traumatized me was the domestic violence abuse that lasted several months, and during the last incident that happened, I felt something in my brain "broke".... If that makes sense, like I felt something in my brain change during the last incident of trauma, and ever since then I have never been the same. I am not sure if Severe and Chronic PTSD is the correct diagnosis.... I more so identify with the symptoms of Complex PTSD... Or is that like the same thing?

[@phoenixd9679]

Thank you!

[@Marma9095]

Thank you for another Very interesting video! Why do so many professionals still misdiagnose PTSD for BPD? I understand that both disorders can co-exist w/in an individual but I also know quite a few people who have been misdiagnosed by them telling me that once their history was learned then all of a sudden the diagnosis was made, mostly to women & many times in an in-pt. setting as well.

[@katjamerlung992]

I found out i had it really early. It's 5 years since I got out. And i got help as soon as i got out of that life. So im pretty lucky for being 25 now and having a pretty normal quality of life. I leand people normally seek help in there 40ths

[@nicolabrodie2307]

Thank you

[@NightOasis]

This video is amazing accurate- is there more to this clip ?

[@Worldlook]

EXCELLENT

[@johnk1114]

There is also ADD and ADHD that cause a child to behave differently. Harsh handling by adults that are not aware, but judgmental (parents, teachers, etc) cause stress from rejection called dysthymia. Lack of self-esteem, the early beginning possibly of later Complex PTSD. Throw in a narcissist spouse years later and you've got The Perfect Storm of C-PTSD.

[@scarred10]

Dysthymia isnt stress from rejection,its chronic low mood but not quite clinical depression.

[@johnk1114]

@@scarred10 You need to research psychology deeper. Under the general heading ADHD, find the acronym “RSD”. That stands for Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria. It comes with early criticism, usually being born W/ ADHD. Whereas C-PDSD as you know, is TRAUMA Stress based, which is a deeper mental severity. Both are abnormally depressing

[@scarred10]

@@johnk1114 again, dysthymia is not distress or dysphoria.

[@johnk1114]

@@scarred10 what’s your point?

[@johnk1114]

@@scarred10 it is coming clear that you have stubborn dysthymia, C-PTSD and a few other quirky disorders 🤪😵‍💫🤥🤮

[@KajDalfall]

Yes. Well said.

[@RICHARDGRANNON]

This is good, check it out!

[@julieparker4198]

yes Richard, this is very good. Dr Frank certainly knows his stuff, very validating. It certainly makes sense as to why I have struggled in my relationships, especially romantic ones. You were right when you said I had been re-traumatised. I didn't know what you meant before, but I do now.

[@vemacrinnon9752]

#Julie Parker. Dr Frank who? Please Julie. Thanks

[@boop7313]

@@vemacrinnon9752 Dr Frank Ochberg the expert who speaks in this video

[@vemacrinnon9752]

Many thanks @boop :)

[@globalman]

He described my life, my mother, my ex was a passive abuser and it is all too late for me. I just can't cope any longer with this

[@sigmarecovery699]

CPTSD…..it’s a bunch of little “T’s” and a several big “T’s” over an extended period of time. Mine started last year. It’s been hell. You don’t trust anybody, you can’t get close. As a man, when you approach professionals for treatment, you get abused again. We are reluctant to report and disclose our trauma as we are often shamed, blamed, and labeled as weak. It’s been a nightmare. You see “threats” everywhere. When triggered, you either want to run away or rip someone’s throat out.

[@donnag.1495]

to Eppistte, I hope you can find someone to take you in to live w/ them or some place that takes people who are suffering without a great cost. There are places b/c I've heard of them on the Dr. Phil show. NO, you are not too old to have healing!!! Please do NOT believe that! I was older than you & the Lord led me to find my healing thru prayer, others, counseling & EMDR.

[@user-xl7wv1jg5k]

Well,i've been physically&sexually&mentally abused by my father and mother and sisters and aucle and my ex and caps.i've been suffering with complex ptsd since 14,now i'm 34,my dr said there's no good medication for complex ptsd,and it's difficult to recover in my case..i still donno how to recover..how to make feel myself better..how can i feel alive again?how can i get my feeling back?i feel numb most of the time..extremely low depression,very flat.when i was younger,meds were little band aid for short term.they ain't kicking anymore.my counsellr is amazing..but i don't know how can i recover..i'm searching for treatment,cure,my inner peace,this is a long journey to find them in a short life..anyone who feel the same besides me?

[@epistte]

I was diagnosed with CPTSD and I am still living with that person who hurt me as a child because id be homeless if I didn't h live here. How do I get away and find a place of my own so I can g begin to heal? Id like to be able to get away and learn just whop I am because I never got that chance to develop my own personality. I am too old to be cured because I'm almost 50? Life can be hell some days and the nights are the worst. I don't want to become a statistic.

[@shastra5552]

epistte I don't believe you are too old to be 'cured' whatever that is. I feel you could learn to manage your symptoms by understanding more about what happened to you on a biological and psychological level. How you had little to no choice in any decision making concerning your life. Have you expressed your desire to break free from your abuser to a therapist? They have an obligation to assist your objective you know. Your wish for autonomy and self-reliance needs self-confidence and self-esteem and a narcissistic parent or care-giver can easily destroy a child's ability to develop the skill necessary for an independent existence. You sound to me like a Co-dependent and there is help available - it's never too late, you could have 30 years of bliss to look forward to. Believe me things get better automatically when you say "enough is enough" and assert some boundaries. Initially people are cranky and even more abusive but with the support of people on here and a health team or therapist you can do it. A bonus is the lucky breaks etc...that seem to come your way when you follow your heart. And by facing this you have already begun the journey. I wish you well in your recovery.

[@epistte]

I have to live with the person who abused me as a child because I cant afford a place of my own. I also cant afford meds for another medical condition, despite being on SSI. I wish it was as easy as your answers.

[@epistte]

Ive asked for help and all I get is crumbs. Don't blame me.

[@epistte]

I had 2 good days and now you come along telling me that I am not trying hard enough. Its easy to bitch but few people are actually willing to hold out a hand and help. I hate to cry but now I am in tears. Congrats.

[@epistte]

Don't bother. Deleting them isn't going to help me.

[@anthonyciolli5891]

Viet Nam vet, 1968-69, Agent Orange, numerous heart problems, On meds since 1995 for PTSD, ZOLOFT,200mg, Ativan 6mg, daily,

[@Bekka_boo13]

i deffently have cptsd...i may not if been abused as a kid, but i was builled from the age of 6, i was sexually harressed for a year I was verbually/emotionally abused by my ex fiancee & other problems...people think you need to be raped or been to war to get ptsd...i was diagnosed with it in 2012...x

[@peachypisces7642]

This isn’t always true. My complex PTSD manifested itself after a very short relationship ended. The way he treated me was awful and led back to things that happened when I was younger.

[@Stigmatix666]

In other words, it triggered childhood traumas? Not just a stand alone incident, then?

[@nepsens6193]

Psychiatrists and other mental health professionals in the United States are paid using diagnosis codes from the DSM-5 that lists each mental health disorder and the criteria to meet them. Currently, complex post-traumatic stress disorder is not in the DSM-5 so mental health professionals are left in a quandary, they cannot diagnose their patients with CPTSD and get paid for treating them. This leaves doctors and therapists no choice but to choose bipolar disorder or some other mental health challenge as their client’s diagnosis.

[@vemacrinnon9752]

Who is this man who's speaking please? I want to hear more of him. Ve

[@erinm3567]

Dr. Frank Ochberg

[@jazzguitar3441]

Am I the only one who was really upset afterwards when their teachers or head of school just casually asked where your trauma comes from, e.g. what your abuse/horror was? Am I the only one who finds that highly inappropriate, nosy and downright rude? It's not like We had ever talked before, like we were friends or anything, they just couldn't contain their curiosity. I was luckily so baffled by the question that I didn't get impolite, I just shrugged, dumb-struck about this indiscreet question, but now I'm absolutely furious.

[@FreeJulianAssange23]

My poor sons. They were Alienated from me and will likely suffer CPTSD. I understand how they were Alienated because I have overcome it myself.

[@SilverSurfeq1989]

How?

[@johnstrickland1134]

I was diagnosed with PTSD recently. Twenty years ago is was diagnosed with fairly mild aspd. Are there connections between the two? Would the complex PTSD create anti social personality disorder? I'm sure there others who might have a similar experience.

[@perfectday777]

John Strickland You might get a second opinion from a mental health professional who specializes narcissistic abuse.

[@Stigmatix666]

Yes. PTSD is actually the main cause of sociopathy

[@scarred10]

No,cptsd and antisocial wouldn't be at all similar

[@marcusnl66]

It's kinda contradicting to say that you cannot trust anyone and at the same time explaining that you can learn to be intimate with someone. The things is that the cure is also what scares you, being intimate. Where is the turning point for someone who's been abused both mentally and sexually at an early age for him/her to comprehend when intimacy is and how to recognize a healthy relationship? Personally I believe that a kid who has never learned to develop this part of the brain, will never fully comprehend how to build relationships which can be trustworthy and safe.

[@user-xl7wv1jg5k]

Good point.But we can't change our past,what we can do?besides that?..i'm questioning myself everyday..it is long journey to find my inner peace in a short life.

[@perfectday777]

Check out From Surviving To Thriving here on KZbin.

[@marcusnl66]

@Pink Salt science indeed but how to implement and teach change is a whole different ballgame

[@Johnnyo1300]

15 different foster homes. No father mother with mental illness back when they had insane asylums. Mom made me swear I would never sign the release forms so that the psychiatrist could administer electric shock. I was 11 years old when she asked me not to sign the papers I was the oldest son I was the father of the house at 12 war stories aren’t just from war war stories start as soon as you make memories if that’s your life, I have so many war stories complex PTSD is very real more than you know unless you lived it you really can’t speak on it most your people read it out of a book I like this guy he’s come the closest so far but you really can’t speak on it if you didn’t live it, and if you don’t know how to be honest and express your feelings, and tell your war stories I could go on and on I should’ve been a psychiatrist instead of a foster child just saying

[@LittleLulubee]

I feel like I'll never recover from it

[@Letters2indigo]

You can

[@LittleLulubee]

@@Letters2indigo How?

[@Letters2indigo]

@@LittleLulubee have you tried therapy yet? Specifically cognitive behavioral therapy? Also if you have and you didn’t like the person, it usually takes finding the right person. But I used to be against therapy when I was younger bc I thought I had it all figured out... I didn’t. So I tried one, I didn’t like it and then told myself they were all like that. But I found a new one this year actually and I worked through one traumatic event from my adolescence and I’m learning I have more to work through from much earlier years. I actually I’m going to make an appointment soon. It takes a lot of self work. Let me know where you are at and I can try to help you on a more personal level. Like your relationship w yourself and what you do for yourself as of now.

[@cupcake7622]

Kind of annoyed it cut off when it did. 😭😭😭

[@therespectedlex9794]

Denied to you or ripped away from you for a prolonged period of time? That makes it sound like a more overt thing. Also, it isn't just the problem of forming close relationships, it's coping with encounters generally.

[@codacreator6162]

Why do we expect people suffering from the effects of cPTSD but not cancer, physical injury or surgery? The unwanted side effect of working through unhealed injury can easily be seen in professional sports. Of course, most athletes belong to players' unions that secure healthcare as a basic necessity to any contractual obligation. One more indicator that we need labor unions to return to the private sector workplace.

[@SuperZenaida1]

I WONDER CAUSE I HAVE SEVERE OR COMPLEX PTSD AS YOU CALL IT AND I NEVER ONES HEAR YOU MENTION THE DEADLY AFFAIR BLACKOUTS CAN TURN INTO I ONES HAD A BLACKOUT NOT KNOWING THAT I BROKE UP A IRON MEDICINE BOX AND TOOK AN OVERDOSE

[@user-bj8mm4lv6b]

Hyper independence, hyper aggression, hyper vigilance, very untrusting of 99% of people, those are a few of the symptoms. Displayed from childhood and on.

[@youngpatrick29]

Any good careers for people with complex ptsd?

[@miriamdiedrich7524]

Master Young I have it (narcissistic mother, if that's helpful), and it hasn't stopped me from any job. Just learn to engage with the people you work with in the most normal way possible, and, if needed, talk to a professional to keep you from self-destructing. The best step to take is to just get a job. A job means agency, and agency means hope and self-love. All the best to you. Xx

[@Stigmatix666]

Art!

[@karync.6707]

I've had complex PTSD for over thirty years. Disregard Miriam's answer to your question; "just get a job". I know firsthand its not that simple when you are dealing with the aftereffects of MAJOR and LONGTERM ONGIONG TRAUMA. I've had hundreds of jobs, never been able to keep ONE beyond 3 months in those 30 years, except in-home caregiving or "care provider". No boss over shoulder, no other employees to navigate around (many times) it's just me and the client in their home. Often it simply involves just sitting with the client, human-to-human, listening to them talk, reading to them, taking a walk with them, keeping an eye on them then reporting back to the boss (often an adult child of the client) at the end of the day and going home. There are all sorts of in home care positions, from medical and hygiene care to simple companion care, like I described above. The pay varies. With an in home care agency, you'll likely not receive much above 12 dollars per hour. But if you do that for a year or so and get some experience, you can do it on your own, under the table, for 20-30+ dollars per hour

[@rxangel65]

This can also be from a fathers behavior...not just a mother. My daughter suffers from it and it is due to her father vein narcissistic. I didn't get her out when I should have but I was also being abused and confused. For you to claim it is just from a mother is insulting.

[@ElizabethPhaire1]

Actually, that is exactly what he was saying. The abuser may be the father, which of course is criminal; however the mother plays a part in this too by not protecting her child, for whatever reason. The abuse by the father and abandonment, lack of protection by the mother all contributes to the child growing up unable yo trust people. I'm sorry that you and your child went through this and hope that you are in a safe place now.

[@user-ru3qw9of3w]

Can complex PTSD lead to BPD, manipulation towards friends or family members, cz as they say, If a child is npt accepted from its village, it will burn it to feel the warmth.

[@Stigmatix666]

Yes, absolutely. C-PTSD may very well lead to sociopathy. In fact it's actually the main cause..

[@martincuper5142]

Is it same as BPD? What is the difference between them two

[@habibaduval9988]

I think complex PTSD is the more preferable sympathetic diagnosis but not necessarily more simple than BPD which can take 5 years of therapy to stabilise. BPD is definitely not simple

[@Stigmatix666]

No, it's not. I gladly push people away. Completely the opposite of co-dependency, which is one of the main traits of BPD

[@ljose34]

There are a few things to try Find the reasons why you suffer from anxiety - the first step in solving an issue is understanding why it is there. Be comfortable with yourself - this makes it less difficult when you meet others. Just do it - you will gain confidence by doing things - especially by doing activities that push your boundaries. (I learned these and more tips from Aghy Magic Method website )

[@MarcassCarcass]

I have complex PTSD, but they misdiagnosed me with paranoid schizophrenia because they don't believe my memories of abuse are real.

[@harry356]

Shit Mark. Find yourself a new, competent therapist. Good luck.

[@Stigmatix666]

I also have complex PTSD. I've been in therapy for over 30 years. I've been misdagnosed with everything from adhd to borderline and not once was ptsd ever mentioned.. Thanx, narcissistic mother!

[@RONYN666]

I need help

[@sigmarecovery699]

Hang in there. I struggle with this too. You matter.

[@mallory5872]

Children are robots who have tI adapt to their parents needs. cptsd

[@dcr00k]

This one is pretty heavy.

[@Tadesan]

Self esteem? Confidence? I am a spectre.

[@bzscck4496]

these have been be persecution envoiroments so who could controled who could not admisted so I have been be same situtions been bullied again and again, no respection and only slander and romor, already 70, I need income and I need liberation! someone always made trouble behind me !

[@ronalddeem8154]

❤💯💯💯💯👍👍🏿

[@tonivaripati5951]

Blimey there are loads of these experts on YOU TUBE telling us what we already know, they must think we are stupid

[@Black.Sabbath]

1:25 1:42 Say it!

[@dorkiexcici]

it cost $150 for emdr

[@johnwilliam4278]

did it work

[@dorkiexcici]

+John William I haven't tried yet 😔

[@perfectday777]

It costs $99 to work with Michele Neives who does videos about narcissistic abuse. It's called From Surviving To Thriving. You can sign up to work with her. She's been through it herself and now she is a Certified Trauma Recovery Coach. If you do this, it could be the best $99 you ever invested into yourself. It's been life-changing for me!

[@TajimaMunenori]

Choosing good friends and partners for me is like choosing which testicle do i want to lose

[@Jacks-tj9mb]

Lot of guys I know have both cptsd and ptsd. Growing up in a shithole to blowing up a shithole. At least I learned it’s all one big garbage heap. Didn’t help tho.