If you have ever experienced multiple traumatic events throughout your life, whether it was abuse and neglect as a child, violence from a spouse, or even kidnapping, this could be a basis for complex trauma. Complex trauma is exactly that. Multiple traumatic events that have taken place throughout your life. Complex trauma also refers to the impact that trauma has on your life. You might feel trapped by your emotions or your situation. You might be feeling hopeless and traumatized by what you have gone through. You could even be wondering if you will ever be able to heal and move forward from the emotional pain that you have been experienced. This article will focus on complex trauma and how to heal. Be assured that you can heal and you will eventually be able to move forward.
How can I tell if I have complex trauma?
If you feel that you might be suffering from complex trauma, these are a few things that you might be experiencing:
- Shame, distrust, low-self esteem, and guilt.
- You might also have trouble identifying your emotions.
- The trauma that you are experiencing is interpersonal, which means that it occurs between people
- You might feel trapped by your situation.
- The trauma which you are experiencing is often prolonged, extreme, planned and ongoing, especially if you have experienced abuse as a child that was ongoing.
- Complex trauma has a severe impact on your life.
- You might use heavy drinking, drugs, undereating or overeating, extensive work in order to cope. You might even be self-harming in order to cope with your feelings.
- Complex trauma affects your life in every aspect. Your health, relationships and emotions state will all suffer.
- Uncontrollable emotions such as intense anger or severe sadness that doesn’t go away
- Experience changes in consciousness, such as forgetting the traumatic event or feeling detached from your emotions or body.
- Distorted view of the abuser. For example, you might become obsessed with revenge or become preoccupied with your relationship with the abuser.
When should I seek help for complex trauma?
If you feel that the trauma you experienced during your past is affecting your life at present. Then seeking help will be a good idea. The sooner you seek help, the sooner you will be able to heal and move forward. Seek help if you are having trouble with any of the following:
- Having trouble functioning at home or at work.
- Using alcohol or drugs to feel better.
- Emotionally numb and feeling disconnected from others or reality.
- Experiencing troubled memories, flashbacks, and nightmares.
- Suffering from extreme fear, anxiety or depression.
- Unable to form close relationships
- Avoiding anything that reminds you of your trauma.
- Suicidal thoughts
If you are experiencing any of these feelings, you will need to seek professional help immediately.
Is there a difference between complex trauma and single incident trauma?
Yes, there is a difference between complex trauma and a single traumatic event. As mentioned above complex trauma is ongoing, single-event trauma is one single event that causes trauma in a person. It is also often associated with PTSD. A single traumatic event could be from sexual assault as an adult, a natural disaster, being at war, or a physical assault.
In what situations does complex trauma occur?
Complex trauma occurs usually with repeated trauma as a child. There are many situations which can cause complex trauma during childhood. Often times adults carry this trauma with them into their adult lives and this affects their own children. They might either be unavailable emotionally, they could even use drugs or alcohol to help them cope with their past. This flows over into their own adult lives and can lead to a cycle of trauma on their own children. That is why it is important to deal with complex trauma. If you have experienced complex trauma, especially during childhood, this can be very damaging to you as a person. If you experienced any form of abuse as a child, whether it be sexual, physical, neglect or even trauma from civil unrest then complex trauma can really affect you during your adult life.
Complex trauma doesn’t always have to start out in childhood, though it can also occur with ongoing traumatic events during adulthood. For example, domestic violence, medical trauma or being in a war-torn country.
What can occur if you experienced complex trauma as a child?
You might experience depression, anxiety, and substance abuse without actually knowing why. Some adults who experienced complex trauma as children could start to develop different ways in which to protect themselves. Such as dissociation. If this is the case, you might develop different personalities in order to protect yourself from the trauma which you experienced. (Unfortunately, disassociative personality disorders can’t be cured, but they can be managed with therapy and support)
How does complex trauma occur?
Researchers are still trying to figure out how complex trauma affects the brain. However, studies have shown that complex trauma does have a lasting effect on the amygdala, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. These parts of our brains play a big role in our memory and how our brain manages stress. Complex trauma occurs often in people who have been abused by those who are supposed to have cared for them.
What treatment is there for complex trauma?
Treatment is available for complex trauma. Many people find group sessions very helpful, with survivors of similar experiences. When you share similar experiences with others this reduces shame and isolation. When you are with others who can share your experiences, this builds hope, trust, and strength. Talk therapy with a psychologist can also help those who have experienced complex trauma. Cognitive behavior therapy is also very useful in treating complex trauma. CBT helps you to identify negative thought patterns and then replace them with more positive thinking. Medication can also help you manage symptoms of depression and help you cope. Sometimes antidepressants might be used only for a short period of time to help you to cope. Other times medication might be needed for a longer period of time.
When it comes to talking about the trauma that you experienced, it might be really difficult. Remember that your therapist will never push you more than you feel comfortable with. But speaking about your trauma will help you to move forward.
In Conclusion
Even though complex trauma may seem like a never-ending abyss of darkness, you can come through it victoriously. With the right kind of therapy and help, you will be able to heal from your hurtful and troubled past. Therapy might take time, but working through your traumatic experiences will be worth it in trying to heal. Let us help you move forward and live the life that you deserve to have. The happiness that you need is within arms reach.