How we walk with the broken speaks louder than how we sit with the great.
― Bill Bennot
Complex PTSD is the beginning of many different diagnoses. It usually occurs due to interpersonal trauma in childhood and long-term relationships. Many children growing up in domestic abuse situations develop complex PTSD. Although it is a new diagnosis, awareness has been around for some time. Domestic violence is not the only cause of c-PTSD, ongoing trauma such as sexual abuse, and physical, mental and emotional abuse. Although the experience is debilitating, it is possible to heal.
Complex Trauma emerges after prolonged, multiple experiences and also include the below criteria
A. Alteration in regulation of emotions and compulsion
B. Alteration in attention and consciousness
C. Somatisation
D. Alteration in self perception
E. Alterations in perceptions of the perpetrator
F. Alterations in interpersonal relationships
G. Alterations in systems of meaning
What is the difference between PTSD and Complex PTSD?
A person who has experienced prolonged, interpersonal complex trauma and has Complex PTSD may in particular experience the coloured symptoms. Difficulties may also include, finding it hard to trust others, complicated feelings towards a perpetrator and somatisation. (health problem with no physical evidence or reason). Complex trauma is severe, prolonged and repeated trauma, almost always of an interpersonal nature, often (but not always) beginning early in life. A particular feature of complex trauma is that victims can see the next traumatic event but can’t prevent it from happening. Complex Trauma often leads to further mental health issues such as mood & anxiety disorders,
What are the clinical symptoms of Complex PTSD ?
Intrusive distressing memories
Distressing dreams
Flashbacks to the trauma
Prolonged emotional distress - external/internal triggers
Behaviours to avoid internal/external triggers/distress
Inability to remember aspects of trauma
Persistent negative beliefs about oneself/the world.
Persistent negative emotional states e.g. shame, guilt
Feeling detached from others
Reduced interest in significant activities
Persistent inability to experience positive emotions.
Irritable behaviour and anger outburst
Reckless or self destructive behaviour
Hyper vigilance
Exaggerated startle response
Problems with concentration
Sleep disturbance
Some people have Dissociative symptoms
Against prior belief, c-PTSD is something that can actually be healed. I follow the national and international guidelines for working with c-PTSD and PTSD, however I have integrated multiple spiritual disciplines and various approaches to ensure all areas of trauma can be addressed.
These other disciplines have often be dismissed as nonsense by the clinical world, yet the evidence is in my practice and I believe it is very arrogant and short sighted of the clinical world to dismiss healing authorities which have been used for thousands of years. The British and European shamans have healed people with ceremony and natural medicine for years. In more recent decades the huge movement and recognition of the North and South American shamans has introduced another style of healing within the melting pot of the world.
I believe to get different results we have to do something different and I am willing to work outside the box to achieve the best results I can.
Rachel is like a surgeon, she has the keen ability to see exactly what is happenning and exactly what is need. Her precision is like an archer and her knowledge her arrows. I fully reccommend working with her even if you feel like no one knows what to do, Rachel does.
— Maxi G
Rachel’s approach has changed my life more in the 3 weeks we have worked together than in a lifetime of mental health services and medication. I do not understand why her programmes are not the first port of call for all trauma victims and BPD diagnosis
— Amy R
INTENSIVE RECOVERY RETREATS, 1-2-1 WORK, CUTTING EDGE PROGRAMMES AND REAL RESULTS.
