They might experience intense emotions that are difficult to control, such as anger, sadness, fear, or shame.
Interpersonal difficulties: C-PTSD can affect an individual's ability to form and maintain healthy relationships. Trust issues, feelings of detachment or alienation, and difficulty in establishing boundaries are common.
Low self-esteem and self-worth: Sustained exposure to trauma can erode one's sense of self and lead to feelings of worthlessness or shame.
Dissociation: C-PTSD can lead to dissociative experiences, where individuals may feel disconnected from themselves, their surroundings, or their emotions as a coping mechanism to deal with overwhelming stress.
Hypervigilance and paranoia: Individuals with C-PTSD may be constantly on high alert, anticipating danger or potential threats due to their previous traumatic experiences.
Emotional flashbacks: Unlike typical PTSD, C-PTSD often involves emotional flashbacks, where a person relives the intense emotional states they experienced during past traumatic events, without necessarily recalling the specific event itself.
Memory difficulties: People with C-PTSD might have fragmented or impaired memory related to their traumatic experiences.
Chronic physical symptoms: C-PTSD can manifest in physical symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, and other somatic complaints due to the connection between the mind and body.
It's important to remember that everyone's experience with C-PTSD is unique, and individuals may not necessarily have all of these symptoms. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of C-PTSD, it is essential to seek professional help from a mental health expert or therapist experienced in trauma-related conditions for proper evaluation and treatment.