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Unlike PTSD, which can result from a single incident, Complex-Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder, (C-PTSD) is typically rooted in sustained interpersonal trauma, such as long-term abuse at home, at work, at school (childhood bullying), childhood neglect, loss & grief, exposure (or directly involved in) domestic violence to name a few. It is worth noting that non-interpersonal situations involving chronic stress and trauma, like living in a country with national conflict (eg, War or 'The Troubles' here in Ireland) can also contribute to its development. The source or root cause of C-PTSD, is not necessarily cut and dry, this or that.
Symptoms of C-PTSD extend beyond those of PTSD, including difficulties with emotional regulation, a persistent sense of guilt or shame, and difficulties in maintaining relationships. Identifying and understanding this struggle can make recovery that much easier.
C-PTSD is a mental health disorder that has brain-body-mind dysregulated distorting reality, and creating an experience of life that feels like a never-ending struggle.
The good news is that there are many ways to support C-PTSD recovery.
What follows is a 2-Part C-PTSD Self Test to help you better determine if you present symptoms of C-PTSD along with some suggested next steps if you do.
Disclaimer: This self-test provided in two parts, is not a diagnostic tool, nor is it intended to replace a proper diagnosis. This two-part Self Test is provided for educational purposes only. Mental health conditions should only be diagnosed by a licensed mental health professional or doctor.
C-PTSD - A Self Test
Instructions: Please read each question in Part 1 and Part 2, and with a paper and pen to hand, make a note of your answers of "Yes," "No," or "Unsure." If you find that your answers suggest a pattern of symptoms associated with C-PTSD, consider seeking advice from a trauma-informed practitioner with 5+ years experience working with C-PTSD.
PART 1
Q1 - Do you struggle with attention, memory, or focus?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q2 - Have you damaged relationships because of intense emotions, or outbursts of sadness, jealousy, anger or resentment when it didn’t seem appropriate?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q3 - Have you struggled with depression, anxiety, or other mental health problems?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q4 - Do you cling to relationships, or avoid them altogether?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q5 - Do you have more than your share of conflict with family, friends, and co-workers?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q6 - Does the fear of abandonment, or of being alone, cause you to stay in negative relationships? Or do the polar opposite, cut off people altogether at the slightest sign of upset?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q7 - Do you find yourself attracted to unavailable, destructive, or abusive people?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q8 - Do your relationships have an unusually high amount of arguing, or is there violence?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q9 - Do you have any ongoing habits or addictions, such as food, drugs, shopping, sex, smoking or alcohol?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q10 - Do you often find yourself reliving past stressful events through intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or dreams or the polar opposite is blocking out memories altogether and avoiding 'looking back'?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q11 - Do you cling to relationships, even when you’re not in love and not happy with the person?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q12 - Do you get clumsy at seemingly random times, tripping over things or dropping things?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q13 - Do you have trouble setting boundaries or saying no? Or feel obligated to pay for others when you're at lunch, coffee or similar?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q14 - Have you noticed persistent negative beliefs about yourself or the world?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q15 - Do you have unexplained health problems that seem to have no clear cause?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q16 - Do you find it hard to trust others, maintain relationships, feel close to people or find people so triggering, that you avoid social situations entirely?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q17 - Do you feel that no matter how much a partner/friend tries to be there for you, you feel alone, unloved or unheard?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q18 - Do you feel that you are unexplainably separate from other people and groups or have no interest in activities or hobbies that involve other people?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q19 - When you are trying to do something familiar (especially when you’re hurrying or under pressure) do you sometimes get too flustered to function?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q20 - At times, do you feel stuck inside overwhelming feelings of shame, guilt, or a sense that you are to flawed somehow?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q21 - Do you have seemingly high levels of Imposter Syndrome in work related situations?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q22 - Do you have a chaotic relationship with money? Money is an area of anxiety. You have been (or are) in trouble with the tax man. OR - Lack discipline with financial affairs, relying on scraps of paper and/or memory to manage money related matters?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q23 - Does life feel like a chore or an obligation that you resent?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q24 - Do you have a track record of success followed by significant falls from success? Your success tends to be short lived, or sporadic, often met with hard falls or perceived self-sabotage?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q25 - Have you moved home and jobs a lot throughout the course of your life?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q26 - Are your a workaholic with very little else going on in your life outside work?
Yes
No
Unsure
Part 1 Conclusion - If you have answered YES, 9x or more, your score would indicate the presence of c-PTSD.
Part 2
Part 2 Instructions: Please read each statement and answer with "Yes," "No," or "Unsure."
Q1 - Do you have a high level of congruency with who you be and what you do? Are you inspired in your pursuit of a reasonably clear set of goals?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q2 - Do you meet obstacles with ease and a recognition that they are simply on-the-way to where you are going? They very rarely derail you, or cause you to change your plans significantly?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q3 - Do you have a healthy relationship with your body and regularly tune-in to how you are feeling before making decisions to ensure I am mind and body are aligned?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q4 - Do you regularly practice self-regulation - a way for your brain-body-mind to be centered and grounded daily? Do you have a mindfulness practice, exercise routine, or some way of supporting your body in ways that bring greater levels of peace and gratitude?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q5 - Do you have a healthy sense of Accountability for how your words and actions impact other people? You find it easy enough to be sensitive to others, particularly those who hold very different views to your own?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q6 - Do you have a healthy self-image across all of the following: your person, your career, your role within your family and friend circles and/or in the community?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q7 - Do you regularly experience joy and pleasure from your chosen activities, hobbies and down time?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q8 - Do you have several meaningful relationships that you have nurtured for years? These relationships are mutually beneficial.
Yes
No
Unsure
Q9 - Do you have a wider community that you engage from time to time to offer support, receive support and exchange ideas?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q10 - Do have healthy boundaries in place, and pride yourself in your ability to respect the boundaries of others?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q11 - Do people often express feeling good around you? They enjoy your company, your conversation and your time together?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q12 - Do you invest time and energy to ensure your body is nourished and gets the exercise it needs daily?
Yes
No
Unsure
Q13 - Does life bring you satisfaction, purpose and meaning for the most part?
Yes
No
Unsure
Part 2 Conclusion - If you have answered NO, 6x or more, your score would indicate the presence of c-PTSD.
Now What?
If you have 9 or more YES answers from Part 1, and 6 or more No answers from Part 2, you present enough symptoms for C-PTSD that you might find a combination of further C-PTSD education, as well as a conversation with a trauma-informed practitioner, helpful to resolve the best possible next steps for you.
Free Download of my Book: C-PTST at Work: Highly Functioning, Secretly in Despair - www.shannoneastman.com/cptsd-at-work
The Trauma Informed Growth Podcast is on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon and on my website over here > www.traumainformedgrowth.life
While I personally do not work with individuals in the area of diagnosing C-PTSD or C-PTSD recovery, I can recommend qualified practitioners. You are welcome to get in touch and make inquiries.
I work with individuals who have C-PTSD in creating sustainable and profitable business growth or career path. I also Advise, Consult and Train organisations in the area of C-PTSD at Work as the sheer number of professionals who have diagnosed (or undiagnosed) C-PTSD is only increasing.