intake@legacycounselingservices.com | (918) 505-4367
  • Behance
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
Make an Appointment: intake@legacycounselingservices.com | (918) 505-4367
logo
Contact Us Portal for Existing Clients

2035 W. Houston Street, Suite A | Broken Arrow, OK 74012
intake@legacycounselingservices.com | (918) 505-4367

  • Home
  • Our Therapists
    • Dr. Patrick McCain, LPC – Online Therapist
    • Sam Guzman, LPC-Candidate
    • Ted Robinson, LPC
    • Christina Parks, LPC, Clinical Director
    • Sandy Stone, LPC
    • Patti Trammell, LCSW
    • Dr. Melissa J. Leedy, Ph.D. Psychologist
    • Kristi Spence, LMFT
    • Currently Hiring – Remote or Hybrid
  • Services
    • Online Therapy in Oklahoma
    • Relationship counseling
      • Couples Counseling
      • Pre-Marital Counseling
    • Family Counseling
    • Workshops/Groups Tulsa
      • Battle Buddies: Online Chronic Pain & Illness Support Group
      • Active Parenting of Teens Workshop
      • Virtual Teens Emotional Wellness Group
      • Story Groups Workshops
    • Teen Counseling
      • Tulsa Anxiety Counseling for Teens
      • Tulsa Counseling for Bullied Teens
      • Tulsa Counseling for Depressed Teens
    • Individual Counseling
      • Tulsa Counseling for Adult Anxiety and Worry
      • Tulsa Counseling for Adult Depression
      • Tulsa Counseling for Chronic Illness, Chronic Disease, and Injury
      • Tulsa Counseling for Chronic Pain
      • Tulsa Counseling for Depressed, Anxious, or Stressed Women
      • Tulsa Counseling for Insomnia
      • Grief & Bereavement Counseling
      • Counseling for Trauma
      • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
      • Counseling for Anxiety
      • Therapy for Depression
      • Emergency and Crisis Management Referrals
    • EMDR Tulsa Counseling for Adults
    • Men’s Issues
    • Public Speaking
    • Therapist Continuing Education Trainings
    • Become an Affiliated Therapist
    • Wellspring Executive Coaching / Business Coaching with Dr. Leedy
  • Getting Started
    • FAQs
    • Client Forms
    • Scheduling and Billing Service
  • Resources
    • Mental Health Links
    • Physical Health Links
    • COVID-19: In-Office and Telehealth Counseling
  • Contact
  • Videos & Blog
  • Currently Hiring – Remote or Hybrid
Close menu
  • Home
  • Our Therapists
    • Dr. Patrick McCain, LPC – Online Therapist
    • Sam Guzman, LPC-Candidate
    • Ted Robinson, LPC
    • Christina Parks, LPC, Clinical Director
    • Sandy Stone, LPC
    • Patti Trammell, LCSW
    • Dr. Melissa J. Leedy, Ph.D. Psychologist
    • Kristi Spence, LMFT
    • Currently Hiring – Remote or Hybrid
  • Services
    • Online Therapy in Oklahoma
    • Relationship counseling
      • Couples Counseling
      • Pre-Marital Counseling
    • Family Counseling
    • Workshops/Groups Tulsa
      • Battle Buddies: Online Chronic Pain & Illness Support Group
      • Active Parenting of Teens Workshop
      • Virtual Teens Emotional Wellness Group
      • Story Groups Workshops
    • Teen Counseling
      • Tulsa Anxiety Counseling for Teens
      • Tulsa Counseling for Bullied Teens
      • Tulsa Counseling for Depressed Teens
    • Individual Counseling
      • Tulsa Counseling for Adult Anxiety and Worry
      • Tulsa Counseling for Adult Depression
      • Tulsa Counseling for Chronic Illness, Chronic Disease, and Injury
      • Tulsa Counseling for Chronic Pain
      • Tulsa Counseling for Depressed, Anxious, or Stressed Women
      • Tulsa Counseling for Insomnia
      • Grief & Bereavement Counseling
      • Counseling for Trauma
      • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
      • Counseling for Anxiety
      • Therapy for Depression
      • Emergency and Crisis Management Referrals
    • EMDR Tulsa Counseling for Adults
    • Men’s Issues
    • Public Speaking
    • Therapist Continuing Education Trainings
    • Become an Affiliated Therapist
    • Wellspring Executive Coaching / Business Coaching with Dr. Leedy
  • Getting Started
    • FAQs
    • Client Forms
    • Scheduling and Billing Service
  • Resources
    • Mental Health Links
    • Physical Health Links
    • COVID-19: In-Office and Telehealth Counseling
  • Contact
  • Videos & Blog
  • Currently Hiring – Remote or Hybrid
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
(918) 505-4367

intake@legacycounselingservices.com

CORE VALUES: Excellence | Integrity | Authenticity | Personal Growth

Do You Have C-PTSD?

March 23, 2021 by Melissa Leedy Leave a Comment

You have most likely heard the term Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – also known as PTSD. It is used to describe the mental and emotional anguish suffered by those who have experienced sudden trauma. PTSD is often experienced by soldiers as well as those who have been victims of rape and other crimes, and even victims of house fires and car accidents.

Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) describes a condition that very much presents like PTSD, the difference being the sufferer experienced prolonged periods of abuse or neglect. This could happen as a result of childhood neglect or the abuse suffered at the hands of a narcissistic partner.

Diagnosing C-PTSD

Diagnosing C-PTSD is tricky because the symptoms are usually not very unique. That is to say, someone who is suffering from C-PTSD may be experiencing anxiety and lethargy, but these symptoms match other mental health issues.

But it is very important to accurately diagnose C-PTSD because of the necessary treatment measures. The main difference between C-PTSD and other mental health issues – say, bipolar disorder – is that C-PTSD is a result of things that were done TO an individual, and not an intrinsic problem. In other words, someone suffers from C-PTSD because of abuse and neglect at the hands of another and not because of genetically determined brain chemistry.

To help correctly identify C-PTSD, a therapist must uncover an accurate history to understand if:

  • The individual has experienced multiple prolonged traumas that have lasted for months (or even years)
  • The traumas were caused by someone the individual had a deep interpersonal relationship with and/or someone who was part of their primary care network (most commonly a parent or caregiver)
  • These traumas were experienced as permanent features of life, with the individual unable to see any end in sight
  • The individual had no control or power over the person traumatizing them

Symptoms of C-PTSD

As I just mentioned, the outward symptoms of C-PTSD may match other mental health disorders. Those symptoms include:

  • Flashbacks and nightmares in which the trauma is relived.
  • Avoiding people, places, and situations that remind them of the trauma.
  • Dizziness or nausea when remembering the trauma.
  • Hyperarousal. This is a state of high alert and one they often lived in.
  • A belief that the world is a dangerous place.
  • A loss of trust in self or others.
  • Difficulty sleeping and concentrating.
  • Being startled by loud noises.

Treatment for C-PTSD

There are a few different treatment options for people suffering from C-PTSD:

Psychotherapy

Therapy can take place on a one-to-one basis or in a group setting. The focus will be on addressing feelings, improving connections with others, and dealing with anxiety and flashbacks. Many therapists have had success using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helping people cope with the symptoms of C-PTSD.

EMDR

EMDR stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. This is a process that uses eye movement to help a person desensitize their reactions to a specific traumatic event. The result is the person can eventually recall the memory but have no emotional reaction to it.

Medication

Some individuals may need to be on medications for a while to reduce their anxiety. A therapist can work with you to determine if this is the best course of action.

 

If you believe you are suffering from C-PTSD and would like to explore treatment options, please be in touch. I’d be happy to discuss how I may be able to help.

Filed Under: Abuse/Neglect, Anxiety, General, Trauma / PTSD

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

2035 W. Houston Street, Suite A
Broken Arrow, OK 74012

(918) 505-4367
intake@legacycounselingservices.com

About Us

 
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Office Hours


By appointment only.

Request Appointment

Contact Information

2035 W. Houston Street, Suite A
Broken Arrow, OK 74012

  • Email
  • Phone

Privacy Policy

A Therapist Website by Brighter Vision

Business Hours and Insurance Benefits

Insurance changes have been in effect since Nov 1, 2022. Please double-check with your insurance to ENSURE THAT YOUR PROVIDER IS STILL IN-NETWORK for your specific policy FOR IN-OFFICE AND TELEHEALTH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH VISITS. Ask if your provider is approved for telehealth, as some insurance companies require the use of a specific company, such as MD Live, which we are NOT paneled with. Write the time/day you called, the name of the person you spoke with, and the reference number.

Our administrative office hours are Mon -Tues. 9 am-5 pm and Friday 9 am-Noon.  You may also reach out to us through the contact form (https://forms.gle/v9eSAFeETk7K4Kbw8).

Due to high volume, CALLS AND WEBSITE INQUIRIES WILL BE RETURNED WITHIN 3-5 BUSINESS DAYS.  Thanks for your patience.

Thank you, and we look forward to connecting with you!