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
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
- Psychologists, Doctors & PTSD: Working Together
- Psychologists often collaborate with GPs and psychiatrists to ensure safe, coordinated care for people with PTSD. While therapy is usually the first line of treatment, medication may be prescribed, especially when other treatments like therapy haven’t been successful, or when there are co-occurring conditions like chronic pain, depression or anxiety that may be better addressed with medication, or when the client is unable or unwilling to engage in therapy.
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.
