"Trauma is not what happens to you. Trauma is what happens inside you as a result of what happens to you." - Gabor Maté
Understanding Complex PTSD (CPTSD)
Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) is a condition that arises from prolonged exposure to traumatic experiences, often occurring in childhood. Unlike PTSD, which can result from a single traumatic event, CPTSD is the outcome of repetitive, long-term trauma, such as abuse, neglect, or domestic violence. It manifests in various ways, deeply impacting an individual’s emotions, personal life, work life, and relationships.
Manifestation and Impact of CPTSD
CPTSD can manifest through a range of symptoms, making daily life a constant struggle. Individuals may experience intense emotions, such as fear, shame, and guilt, often feeling overwhelmed by these feelings. This emotional turmoil can lead to difficulties in personal life, where maintaining healthy relationships becomes challenging due to trust issues and emotional dysregulation.
In the workplace, CPTSD can result in decreased productivity, difficulties with authority figures, and an inability to manage stress effectively. Relationships, both personal and professional, often suffer as individuals with CPTSD may struggle with intimacy, fear of abandonment, and a pervasive sense of being unsafe.
The Subconscious and Trauma in CPTSD
The subconscious mind holds onto traumatic experiences, influencing behavior, thought patterns, and emotional responses long after the events have passed. In CPTSD, the subconscious is often in a state of hypervigilance, constantly on the lookout for potential threats. This state of perpetual alertness can lead to behaviors aimed at self-protection, such as avoidance, dissociation, and hyper-reactivity.
Trauma weaves through CPTSD by creating deep-seated beliefs and patterns. Individuals may develop a negative self-image, believing they are unworthy or unlovable. These patterns, ingrained in the subconscious, perpetuate a cycle of fear and avoidance, making it difficult to break free from the grip of trauma.
Five Signs of CPTSD
Emotional Dysregulation: Intense and unstable emotions, such as anger, sadness, or fear, that seem disproportionate to the situation.
Negative Self-Perception: Persistent feelings of worthlessness, guilt, and shame, often accompanied by a distorted self-image.
Difficulty in Relationships: Struggles with intimacy, trust, and fear of abandonment, leading to unstable and tumultuous relationships.
Hypervigilance and Anxiety: A constant state of alertness and anxiety, always anticipating danger or betrayal.
Dissociation: Feeling detached from oneself or reality, often as a way to escape emotional pain and trauma.
Approaching CPTSD and Integrative Hypnotherapy
My approach to treating CPTSD involves creating a compassionate and supportive environment where individuals can explore their trauma and begin the healing process. Hypnotherapy, a powerful tool in this journey, helps address the root causes of CPTSD by accessing the subconscious mind.
Hypnotherapy for CPTSD includes:
Identifying Trauma Triggers: Helping individuals uncover the specific triggers that activate their trauma responses.
Regressing to the events and experiences that have wounded you. In the hypnotic state you will be able to release all the difficult and unpleasant feelings you have been holding back, safely and securely.
Compassionately understanding the impact your experiences have created. You will gain a deeper wisdom and insight into yourself, your mind and your heart.
Healing Deep Wounds: Providing a safe space to process and heal from the traumatic experiences stored in the subconscious.
Processing and integrating. Releasing you from the grip previously held traumas have created.
Foster a new inner safety, security and empowerment. Enabling you to make diligent choices based on high self worth that reflect the deep inner transformation you have experienced.
Developing Coping Strategies: Equipping individuals with effective coping mechanisms to manage their symptoms and reduce anxiety.
Fostering Resilience and Self-Empowerment: Encouraging individuals to reclaim their sense of self-worth and build resilience against future stressors.
Healing from CPTSD is a complex and deeply personal journey. It requires patience, compassion, and a willingness to confront the painful experiences that have shaped one’s life. I offer a holistic approach to addressing the deep-seated trauma and fostering a path to recovery.
Through compassionate exploration and therapeutic intervention, we can transform the impact of trauma, allowing individuals to reclaim their lives and thrive beyond their past experiences.
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