Complex PTSD and Dissociation

Definite Connection between Complex PTSD and Dissociation There is a high co-morbidity between complex PTSD and dissociative disorders, two distressing anxiety disorders. Traumatic events and abuse result in mental and emotional distress in a person’s life. As a consequence, a dissociative disorder may develop to help the person cope with the trauma, in addition to the CPTSD or other psychiatric disorders that the person may have. There is a higher rate of complicated structural dissociation in Complex PTSD when compared to simple PTSD. Dissociation is an inadequately recognized important characteristic of Complex PTSD. Consider dissociative identity disorder (DID) as an example. For a person subject to repeated occasions of great trauma such as physical, emotional, or sexual abuse in their life, the pain related to such memories may become compartmentalized or split off in the mind or body as distinct personalities. This compartmentalization is meant to keep any hurt associated with the trauma out of the person’s consciousness so that he may function to an extent without being overcome by the trauma. The dissociative or alternate personalities may take control over the person’s body and mind. Personality switches in DID induced by the Complex PTSD may cause the person to lose consciousness or awareness of their surroundings. The person may experience occasions of losing time or lacking awareness for behavior during a certain period of time. For example, they may be wearing clothes that they don’t recall wearing or even purchasing. Many Treatment Options There are different treatment options available for these two serious anxiety disorders. These include exposure therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy), medication, group therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, and psychotherapy. A treatment center specializing in PTSD and Dissociation can help the patient contain or manage any dissociation and symptoms of Complex PTSD that interfere with life functioning. Treating Co-morbidity of Either with an Eating Disorder When speaking about Complex PTSD and dissociation, it is worth mentioning the high rate of co-morbidity among these disorders and an eating disorder. In such instances, comprehensive treatment should include treatment for both disorders to prevent relapse.