PTSD and Complex PTSD: What Are They and How Do They Differ?

By David Hennessy, Clinical Psychologist

🧠 What Is PTSD? (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that may develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. This could include:

• Serious accidents or natural disasters
• Physical or sexual assault
• Sudden loss of a loved one
• Combat or war exposure
• Threats to life or bodily integrity

PTSD Symptoms typically include:

• Flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, or nightmares
• Avoidance of reminders or triggers
• Negative changes in thoughts, mood, or self-view
• Hyperarousal (e.g. irritability, sleep issues, being on edge)

PTSD often impacts daily life, relationships, and a person’s sense of safety. For a diagnosis, these symptoms must persist for more than a month and cause significant distress.

🔁 What Is Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)?

Complex PTSD is a condition recognised in the ICD-11 and related to PTSD, but with distinct features. It tends to develop from repeated or prolonged interpersonal trauma, often during early life stages, such as:

• Ongoing childhood emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
• Long-term domestic violence
• Captivity or trafficking
• Living in unsafe environments over a prolonged period

In addition to the core PTSD symptoms, Complex PTSD symptoms often include:

• Persistent difficulties with emotional regulation
• Chronic feelings of shame, guilt, or worthlessness
• Negative self-beliefs and a damaged sense of identity
• Difficulty maintaining healthy relationships or feeling safe with others

These symptoms reflect deeper relational and identity wounds due to long-term trauma.

🛠️ Treatment Options for PTSD and C-PTSD

PTSD and C-PTSD are both treatable. Evidence-based approaches include:

• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT)
• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Schema Therapy (especially for C-PTSD)
• Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and Internal Family Systems (IFS)
• Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) and Mindfulness-based therapies

Therapy often needs to be paced gently, especially for clients with Complex PTSD, where building trust and emotional safety is foundational.

📚 References & Resources

• World Health Organization (Whttps://icd.who.int/en/HO). ICD-11 Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders.
• Australian Psychological Society – Understanding Trauma
• Blue Knot Foundation – Support for Complex Trauma
• Phoenix Australia – Trauma Treatment Guidelines
• David Hennessy – Psychology Today Profile

✅ Looking for Help with PTSD or Complex PTSD?

At Hennessy Clinical Psychology in Varsity Lakes, we offer compassionate, evidence-based support for people experiencing trauma-related distress. Whether you’re dealing with single-incident PTSD or the long-term impact of Complex PTSD, we work collaboratively to help you heal at your own pace.

👉 Contact us or learn more about our trauma-informed services.