Treatments
Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after repeated or long-term trauma. It includes all the symptoms of PTSD—such as distressing memories, nightmares, flashbacks, avoiding reminders of the trauma, and feeling on edge. It also includes extra challenges such as trouble managing emotions, feeling hopeless or diminished and struggling to maintain close relationships (Frost et al., 2020).
Generally, a mix of evidence-based talking therapies and lifestyle approaches are needed to support someone with complex-PTSD (Cloitre, 2021). Treatments can include:
• Trauma-focused therapy (e.g., Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and/or Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing [EMDR])
•
For adults, some may find prescription medication helpful in addition
to therapy (e.g., anti-depressants or anti-anxiety drugs)
• Lifestyle
changes, including a nutritious diet, good sleep, doing exercise, and
mindfulness meditation, can be helpful for some
people (Mulligan et al., 2024)
• Restarting a healthy routine such as pursuing education, work and social connectiveness (Cloitre et al., 2020)
•
Engaging with support from occupational therapy to reintegrate into
family life and work can also be helpful (Canadian Association of
Occupational Therapists [n.d.])