Complex PTSD (CPTSD): Symptoms, Flashbacks & Treatment

What is Complex PTSD (CPTSD), and how does it differ from PTSD or borderline personality disorder? Licensed therapist Kati Morton breaks down the ICD-11 criteria for CPTSD and the impact of chronic emotional abuse and neglect.

We cover big "T" vs. little "t" trauma, emotional flashbacks, shame and negative self-concept, how CPTSD affects relationships and trust, CPTSD vs. BPD, and treatments like trauma-focused CBT, EMDR, and DBT.

Thank you to OneSkin for sponsoring today’s episode! Get 15% off OneSkin with the code KATI at https://www.oneskin.co/KATI

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Complex PTSD & ICD-11 Criteria

01:45 What Makes PTSD "Complex"? (Judith Herman & Prolonged Trauma)

04:08 Can Chronic Emotional Abuse, Neglect, or Bullying Cause CPTSD?

12:08 Big "T" vs. Little "t" Traumas & Resilience

15:15 Core Differences Between PTSD and Complex PTSD

18:54 Emotional Dysregulation: Hyper-Arousal vs. Hypo-Arousal

23:20 Why Trauma Triggers Make You Relive the Past

25:40 Pete Walker’s Concept of Emotional Flashbacks & Dissociation