Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a serious, potentially crippling, condition that can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a natural disaster, serious accident, terrorist incident, sudden death of a loved one, war, violent physical or sexual assault, or other life-threatening events. Signs of PTSD may start soon after a traumatic event and then continue. Other people develop new or more severe signs months or even years later. PTSD can happen to anyone, even children, and can affect your life and the people around you.

Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Unfortunately, there has much more focus on PTSD than C-PTSD. Complex PTSD is a serious condition that impacts thousands of Americans. In the time I've provided psychotherapy, I've encountered individuals who suffered C-PTSD for years that was never addressed as a result of a lack of focus on the individual's history with trauma. C-PTSD can simply be described as having a traumatic life/childhood consisting of multiple traumatic experiences instead of a single event. Oftentimes, there are co-morbid conditions that are secondary to C-PTSD but are treated as if it is the primary presenting problem. This may be due to a lack of experience from the treating provider, a lack of cultural competency, or individuals seeking treatment not being comfortable talking about their past experiences. Usually, I find clients being diagnosed with a combination of Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, ADHD, Bipolar DO, or a personality disorder such as Borderline Personality DO. When I see a cluster of these diagnoses and learn that a client was physically/sexually/emotionally abused and/or neglected throughout the earlier years of their life, I begin assessing for C-PTSD.

To learn the difference between PTSD versus Complex PTSD, click on the following link to an unaffiliated but informative page:
https://www.beautyafterbruises.org/what-is-cptsd​

Also, learn about the Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) questionnaire, and ask your provider to administer it to you if they have not. To learn more about the ACE questionnaire, click on the following link:  https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/03/02/387007941/take-the-ace-quiz-and-learn-what-it-does-and-doesnt-mean

PTSD Symptoms

Reliving the event (also called re-experiencing symptoms)
  • You may have nightmares.
  • You may feel like you are going through the event again. This is called a flashback.
  • You may see, hear, or smell something that causes you to relive the event. This is called a trigger. News reports, seeing an accident, or hearing a car backfire are examples of triggers.
Avoiding situations that remind you of the event
  • You may avoid crowds, because they feel dangerous.
  • You may avoid driving if you were in a car accident or if your military convoy was bombed.
  • If you were in an earthquake, you may avoid watching movies about earthquakes.
  • You may keep very busy or avoid seeking help because it keeps you from having to think or talk about the event.
Negative changes in beliefs and feelings
  • You may not have positive or loving feelings toward other people and may stay away from relationships.
  • You may forget about parts of the traumatic event or not be able to talk about them.
  • You may think the world is completely dangerous, and no one can be trusted.
Feeling keyed up (also called hyperarousal)
  • You may have a hard time sleeping.
  • You may have trouble concentrating.
  • You may be startled by a loud noise or surprise.
  • You might want to have your back to a wall in a restaurant or waiting room.

"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you; they're supposed to help you discover who you are."

-BERNICE JOHNSON REAGON

Harry J Turner, CCTP, CMHIMP, LCSW.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
One of many goals is to aid clients in discovering the strength they were looking for is, and has always been, inside of them from the beginning.  If this speaks to you, please contact me for services.

Contact Us

Diverse Counseling Solutions, LLC
Mailing Address:
5261 Highland Rd. STE 396
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Phone: (225) 503-0055
info@diversecounselingsolutions.com
Hours:
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Helpful Links For PTSD/C-PTSD

  • National Center for PTSD - Part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, has a website with targeted information for anyone interested in PTSD.
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder News & Research - Overview of the latest research on PTSD, including its causes, risk factors, and promising new treatments. (National Institute of Mental Health)
  • Partners with PTSD - Article for the friends and family members of people with PTSD. Includes an explanation of symptoms and what you can do to help. (Gift from Within)
  • Beauty After Bruises - Learn about the difference between PTSD and Complex PTSD.
  • PsychCentral.com - This is also a helpful article on Complex PTSD.

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