Complex Trauma and How It Impacts Your Life

Complex trauma occurs over an extended period and includes repeated escalating events. Commonly, domestic violence, human trafficking, prisoner of war, chronic illness, childhood emotional/physical abuse, etc., are examples of complex trauma. This type of trauma is often more complicated in nature and results in several psychological or physical developments. It can also result in someone having difficulty adapting to similar experiences. Life outcomes for someone who has experienced complex trauma that has not been treated include educational, relational, career, and health concerns. It may result in people developing multiple mental health or even substance use disorders. 

The Complex Trauma Framework is an emerging model that aims to look beyond a simple approach. It examines 6 significant effects trauma can have on an individual. Trauma completely changes a person’s life and makes it challenging to accomplish daily tasks or function in society. In the past, trauma was often treated as just an event, and the effects trauma had on the person weren’t adequately addressed. This framework provides a clear outline for healthcare providers to offer adequate care as it looks at all of the potential causes that complex trauma results in. 

Below is a chart that examines each of these 6 effects more in-depth and explains how focusing on each effect promotes healing.

Impairment in regulating emotions and impulsions

• Someone who is experiencing this effect might have concerns when it comes to managing their feelings, be more prone to anger, have suicidal thoughts, and be more likely to take risks.
• When there is a focus on treating this specific effect alongside someone’s trauma, it enables them to learn how to manage these intense emotions. It can take time and practice to accomplish this, but learning the skills that help is crucial to the recovery process.

Presence of physical concerns

• Trauma can also manifest physically through somatization. This is when the body has experienced so much stress that physical conditions are possible. These symptoms might be related to the heart, lungs, or digestive system or might be chronic aches and pains.
• In some cases, treating trauma will result in physical symptoms eventually going away on their own. But sometimes, with complex trauma, it may have developed into a physical condition that requires medical treatment alongside trauma therapy to find healing.

Alternated sense of one’s self

• When someone has experienced complex trauma, it frequently changes how the person sees themselves. They might feel like they can’t recognize themselves anymore or like they never knew who they were in the first place.
• Treating this effect of complex trauma means helping someone reconnect and discover who they are. This often includes guiding them through the process of providing emotional validation, building self-confidence, and creating a safe environment, which are all necessary to ensure the person finds healing and inner strength.

Change in relationships with other people

• Complex trauma also dramatically impacts the relationships that a person already has and will have in the future. This is especially true for individuals whose trauma is due to the actions of another person. It often creates concerns and conflicts with the people they interact with.
• Focusing on this effect in trauma therapy offers individuals the interpersonal tools to begin healing. Human connection is a vital component in recovery, and addressing this effect makes it easier to achieve.

Changes in attention and consciousness, including the presence of dissociation

• Naturally, the brain wants to protect a person from danger or pain, meaning there might be gaps in their memory about the events following complex trauma. They may also feel disconnected from their thoughts and experiences.
• Providing attention to this effect and offering skills and awareness allows someone who has experienced complex trauma to begin to recognize the patterns in their life and take preventative actions in the future.

Changes in one’s sense of meaning or feelings of hopelessness

• People who have gone through complex trauma also lose a sense of purpose. It is a very isolating experience for many people and can leave individuals wondering if their trauma is all there is to life.
• Addressing this effect with time and practice in treatment can help an individual see a healthy and exciting future again. It won’t happen overnight, but it is crucial in ensuring someone has a successful recovery from their trauma.

Someone who has experienced complex trauma will often have many symptoms that are related to the elements of the Complex Trauma Framework described above. Not all the symptoms mentioned will be present in someone, as they frequently present differently for each person.

Symptoms commonly associated with impairment in regulating emotions include the development of mental health conditions and engaging in unsafe activities as a way to cope, such as driving under the influence or substance use. 

Physical symptoms associated with complex trauma might include gastrointestinal issues, headaches, chest pain, or chronic musculoskeletal pain. These physical concerns are often the first symptoms someone will notice and try to address, usually unaware they are connected to their trauma. 

Cognitively, someone might see themselves as responsible for the events or that they are now damaged and ineffective. Some might believe they are the only ones who have ever experienced their trauma and that other people will never understand what they are going through. They might also have intense feelings of hopelessness and believe that nothing will ever get better. Others will lose essential beliefs they once held regarding themselves, others, the universe, etc. Common symptoms associated with dissociation include being unable to remember what happened, feeling numb, staring blankly into space, or being in a daze. 

Relationship concerns might include not being able to trust new or existing people in their lives. They might also try to seek connections that are similar to their relationship trauma. Some people might try to avoid others altogether to prevent further traumatic experiences. 

Complex trauma is a type of trauma that someone has had. It includes cumulative experiences that significantly impact a person’s life and perception of the world. Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) is a subtype of the formal diagnosis of PTSD. Currently, while there have been reported differences between the two, someone with CPTSD will often be diagnosed with PTSD. 

There are two main differences between CPTSD and PTSD. The first difference is that CPTSD symptoms tend to be more severe than PTSD. The second difference is that CPTSD tends to involve repeated trauma and significant impairment to a person’s ability to function. PTSD, on the other hand, does not necessarily have to be more than 1 traumatic event, and some people with PTSD may only have mild or moderate impairment to their lives. In other words, the presence of complex trauma is an indication that someone might have CPTSD. However, a proper assessment from your doctor is necessary to diagnose either condition.

Coping with complex trauma involves time, patience, and practice. You will not be able to heal from your experiences instantly, and it will take some work, but it is worth it. Below are 3 helpful techniques that are recommended to people who are learning how to cope with their trauma. 

1. Develop a strong support system: Human connection is vital to healing after trauma. If you don’t already have a support system you can reliably lean on, there are some things you can still do to create this group of people.

You can begin with the people you know by contacting them and suggesting reconnection. If this is not possible, many interest groups in Houston and online enable you to connect with others who share your hobbies. Also, attending group therapy sessions is a great way to meet people who have been through similar circumstances as yourself. These sessions help many people feel less alone in their trauma. 

2. Distract yourself with hobbies and interests: Speaking of hobbies and interests, not only are engaging in them an opportunity to meet new people, but they are also an excellent resource for distracting yourself from your trauma. They can also help reignite a sense of purpose and meaning if you have been feeling like that has been lost in the wake of your complex trauma. Hobbies can be anything, but some common ones to try if you don't have any ideas include baking, crocheting, hiking, gardening, writing, photography, or playing guitar. 
3. Practice self-care: While recovering from trauma, it is crucial to take care of yourself. This includes eating healthy, balanced meals, exercising, and getting quality sleep each night. However, it also involves reminding yourself that you are safe, cuddling with a pet, or keeping a journal to compose your thoughts, emotions, and reflections in an organized fashion. 

If you are looking for more ideas, this guide on managing reactions to trauma provides helpful coping tips and techniques. 

The best way to learn how to cope with complex trauma or CPTSD is by attending trauma therapy. Suppose you have lived with your experiences for several years. In that case, it often leads to feelings of loneliness and mental health conditions. You may even develop co-occurring disorders as a result of attempting to cope with the mental health concerns that come with living through complex trauma. However, you don’t have to go through it alone, and people find healing every day. 

At SUN Behavioral Health Houston, we solve unmet needs for adolescents and adults in the community. Our no-cost care assessments allow us to work with you and your doctors to determine the best treatment plan to enable you to heal and secure yourself from your complex trauma. Contact us at 713-796-2273 to learn more about our trauma therapy services.