Do You Have CPTSD? Symptoms, Flashbacks & Treatments

What is Complex PTSD (CPTSD), and how does it differ from traditional PTSD or Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)? In this episode of Ask Kati Anything (Ep. 328), licensed therapist Kati Morton breaks down the ICD-11 diagnostic criteria for Complex PTSD, the impact of chronic emotional abuse and neglect, emotional flashbacks, and practical treatment modalities like TF-CBT, EMDR, and DBT.

Thank you to OneSkin for sponsoring today’s episode! Get 15% off OneSkin with the code KATI at https://www.oneskin.co/KATI

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction to Complex PTSD & ICD-11 Criteria

01:45 - What Makes PTSD "Complex"? (Judith Herman & Prolonged Trauma)

04:08 - Can Chronic Emotional Abuse, Neglect, or Bullying Cause CPTSD?

12:08 - Big "T" vs. Little "t" Traumas & Resilience

15:15 - Core Differences Between PTSD and Complex PTSD

18:54 - Emotional Dysregulation: Hyper-Arousal vs. Hypo-Arousal

23:20 - Why Trauma Triggers Make You Relive the Past

25:40 - Pete Walker’s Concept of Emotional Flashbacks & Dissociation

29:30 - Negative Self-Concept, Shame & Externalizing Trauma