Arizona PTSD & Complex PTSD Treatment

Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) is a more severe form of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder that can develop after prolonged or repeated exposure to trauma, especially trauma that occurs in situations where the individual feels trapped or powerless. This could include long-term abuse, captivity, or living in a war zone, among other experiences.

The main difference between PTSD and C-PTSD is the length of trauma exposure – complex PTSD is caused by trauma that occurs over a long period of time. 

While frequently associated with veterans, PTSD affects broad demographics after diverse traumatic exposures like natural disasters, accidents, violence, abuse, or sudden loss. Estimates state that 8 million American adults have PTSD in a given year. Substantial research links brain changes like altered prefrontal cortex functioning and neurotransmitter imbalances to the exaggerated fear and stress responses displayed.

Certain pre-trauma, trauma-related, and post-event factors have been shown to elevate the risk of developing PTSD. Trauma severity level correlates strongly with events involving actual or threatened death/injury, witnessing others harmed, and childhood trauma, increasing the probability of PTSD heavily. Individual characteristics like prior mental illnesses, minority status, and low income also heighten vulnerability as support access declines.

Additional risks range from prior repeated trauma put you at risk as well. A lack of social support and life stresses or further trauma burdens can hinder recovery significantly. 

Gender also plays a role, with adult women twice as likely to develop PTSD potentially tied to types of trauma faced and hormones influencing brain pathways for threat response regulation. 

Making an accurate PTSD diagnosis requires specialized training, given similarities to other post-trauma responses in the initial month plus disorder complexities. Our clinicians conduct interviews to gauge the types of trauma exposure you’ve faced. We also assess symptom clusters from flashbacks and physical reactions to emotional numbness and hypervigilance that endure over a month. 

We are careful to provide an accurate diagnosis and cover all bases, including ruling out acute stress disorder, substance abuse, depression, and anxiety.