Complex Trauma and Dissociative Disorders

 

 

Chronic childhood trauma can cause Complex PTSD (CPTSD).

CPTSD has all the symptoms of PTSD, plus problems with emotional regulation, relationship problems and problematic beliefs about self, the world and others. 

Children need to feel safe. Growing up feeling unsafe means growing up with trauma. Any environment where there is chronic deprivation, neglect or abuse can feel unsafe.  The child may be constantly exposed to things that are confusing, frightening, rejecting or chaotic.  Growing up feeling unsafe or unloved can feel life threatening and mind threatening.   

Growing up in a constantly or frequently traumatised state has a serious impact on a child’s development. This includes development of the brain, mind, personality and body. This can disrupt the normal developmental trajectory into adulthood. As an adult, your body and nervous system may still be on "red alert", even decades after the trauma has ceased.

 

ATTACHMENT TRAUMA

Attachment Trauma may be part of the picture when the caregiver the child must depend on is also the person who is harming, frightening, neglecting, confusing or rejecting the child. 

Babies are born totally dependent, with an instinct to attach to caregivers they can depend on. When the caregiver is also the abuser, the child cannot feel safe. This is why Attachment Trauma is the most serious form of Complex Trauma. A parent with a mental illness or PTSD may also unintentionally be a frightened and frightening caregiver.

 

DISSOCIATION

The ability to dissociate  (disconnect from reality) is a natural, normal, automatic, healthy response to acute trauma. It only becomes a problem if it has to be over-used, as in the case of chronic trauma. This is particularly the case when a young, developing mind has to continually or frequently dissociate to protect the child from being overwhelmed by trauma.

The ability to dissociate (in order to survive) can become a prominent part of the developing personality. This can lead to Dissociative Disorders. Many adults who have grown up in a constant state of trauma, may sometimes or often feel disconnected from reality in some way. They may feel disconnected from their memories, from their thoughts, from their bodies, from their emotions or from the world.  They may get lost in the past and feel disconnected from the present at times, such as during a flashback. Many of these dissociative symptoms form a major part of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex Trauma. Some people have parts of their personality that are disconnected from other parts. Some people have Dissociative Identity Disorder, where they have different personalities, disconnected from each other.  

 

All these dissociative experiences represent the child’s enduring determination to survive and thrive, in spite of chronic trauma. These children become adults who are impressively resilient and creative people.

 

What is most important to understand is that dissociation 

is a normal response  to  an abnormal childhood.

 

Research shows that Dissociative Disorders and Complex PTSD  are often misdiagnosed as Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia and Borderline Personality Disorder. Complex Trauma and Dissociative Disorders may also coexist with Eating Disorders and Substance Abuse Disorders.  The average delay in correct diagnosis is 7 years from original presentation.  Sadly, this can lead to years of unsuccessful treatment, which further traumatises the person. 

 

Therapy utilizes Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, integrated with Ego State Therapy and EMDR.

Therapy helps people to gain more control of their lives

through understanding and integrating fragmented experiences and parts of themselves.