Symptoms of CPTSD

Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) can develop after repeated exposure to traumatic experiences, such as narcissistic abuse. The experiences are painful and dangerous to your overall well-being.

The following are symptoms of CPTSD:

• Avoiding people, places or things. This can look like taking a completely different route to work to avoid an area where you spent time with the narcissist. It can also be avoiding flying monkeys, enablers, or others who were associated with the narcissist. If you interact with these people, places or things you get immensely triggered.

• Flashbacks of traumatic events. This is when you are going about your day, then suddenly you will feel like you are being traumatized again or you can see something traumatic you went through in your mind. Flashbacks are dangerous because your body may legitimately think you are in danger again. Flashbacks can also make you freeze or feel numb.

• Intrusive thoughts are thoughts that do not feel like your own. You feel like they came from somewhere else and they can often be scary or violent. Intrusive thoughts are also difficult to eliminate.

• Nightmares about your abuser or the trauma you endured can be recurring when you suffer from CPTSD or narcissistic abuse. If you have nightmares, you could be waking up in the middle of the night frightened or profusely sweating. Nightmares disturb your sleep and can make you feel like you did not get any rest.

• Struggle to feel positive emotions due to all the trauma you have experienced.Trauma

takes its toll on the mind, spirit and body and can make it difficult to have positive thoughts or self-esteem. Trauma changes the structure of the brain and can make feelings of depression stronger.

• Constantly feeling guilt, shame, and worthlessness is common. You may feel like it is your fault that you are in an abusive situation or shame from the narcissist who is constantly spewing negative, controlling, manipulative words at you. Feeling abused and put down so many times can make you feel worthless.

• Dissociation is when your mind and soul go somewhere else as a protective measure to help you find relief from the stress. You may literally feel detached from your body, or your mind might feel it is floating in space. This is all to give you relief, however, dissociation can be dangerous if you are not present in reality to get yourself to safety or to deal with life situations.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and need help working through them - schedule a 15 minute phone consultation with Mallory. You can learn more about her experience working with clients with CPTSD and how she can help.