Complex PTSD

[Buttercup72]

Hello

Just wondering if anyone has been diagnosed with c-PTSD? How did you get diagnosed - was it through NHS or privately? What treatment or therapies did you find useful?

I had it as an NHS possible diagnosis, in the end they decided not. So you can get assessed for it on the NHS.

Yes, I was diagnosed before moving to the UK.

I found group therapy that focused on coping skills and emotional regulation helpful alongside making environmental changes.

I did not find one-on-one therapies, especially with talking about it, very helpful - I found they dysregulated me more - though I know others who found eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) which has elements of that very helpful, it's just not something I've tried.

Thank you both. I only recently found out about cptsd - and although I don't have a professional diagnosis it's been comforting just to understand the impacts of trauma and realise there might be an explanation that's not about 'me'. I haven't found talking therapies useful in the past either, i didnt fully open up though. Im thinking about trying cbt or edmr in case they are more helpful.

DD is currently doing rTMS for PTSD. It's eye-wateringly expensive but after nearly 6 years of chronic illness and a pandemic, she desperately needs it. ETNS has been recommended as a follow up if she has any residual issues.

Just had a quick look at rTMS - looks encouraging and I like the fact it more focus on sorting out brain activity than talking it through etc. But - prices are just too much, £4000+ is more than I can afford just now. Will keep my eye on it though - maybe prices will come down. Hope it works for your girl x

Thank you both. I only recently found out about cptsd - and although I don't have a professional diagnosis it's been comforting just to understand the impacts of trauma and realise there might be an explanation that's not about 'me'.

I have received a professional diagnosis (privately) and I feel a mixture of relief and anger. Relief that there is now an explanation that's not about me but also anger that I have gone decades being misdiagnosed. Waiting for talk therapy to begin but I think I would really benefit from group therapy (can't see anything available locally).

I have PTSD. Counselling doesn’t really address that for me really.
EMDR helped a lot but I’ve had a private assessment and it’s recommended that I get more EMDR and trauma focused CBT.
I don’t think I have cptsd but to be fair I’m not sure.
Mine developed post an assault by a doctor.
I’d had trauma in the past too which made the whole thing worse.
EMDR was £70 a session- the session can be longer than an hour. You talk about the trauma to start with (I’m a real talker so probably gave TMI) but the therapy itself isn’t actually about talking.
You have to relive the event (think about it) while watching the therapist move their fingers (there are probably other variations on this) and think of how you felt with a “slogan” (eg I am powerless) and then by the end you replace the slogan with a positive one (I can stop you)

Daphne - I agree with mixed anger/relief. I have blamed myself for so long and now I’m beginning to see it’s not me.

Blue - thanks for the detail on EDMR. I’m going to book a private assessment and see what they say, but think EDMR is probably the nearest fit for me. Still just wishing for a magic wand though.

Good luck in your treatment.

Buttercup - For years I was told by others that I was being hard on myself but I couldn't see it and yes kept blaming myself. Over the years, I have been diagnosed as having social anxiety; panic disorder; depression; generalised anxiety disorder...the list goes on - now I finally feel I have the correct diagnosis and I had to go private to get it.

C-PTSD is different to PTSD in that we can't always see images linked to flashbacks...all sorts of things can bring on flashbacks - hence unravelling the trauma behind it can be complex. I have PTSD as well as C-PTSD. I have a feeling this is going to take a few years for me to unravel therapy wise, some aspects behind C-PTSD can never be resolved (in many case the fact that I had an absent, neglectful crap mother and a physically abusive father).