CPTSD CHECKLIST

  • Judith Lewis-Herman, Complex-PTSD Symptoms: 

Interpersonal problems: 

  1.  social and interpersonal avoidance (avoiding relationships), 
  2.  feeling distance or cut off from others, and 
  3.  never feeling close to another person. 
  4.  Negative self-concept 
  5.  feelings of worthlessness and guilt. 
  6.  While survivors of PTSD may feel “not myself”, a survivor of Complex PTSD may feel no sense of self at all or experience a changed personality; a few may feel as if they are no longer human at all (Lovelace and McGrady, 1980; Timerman, 1981).[1]:385-386. 
  7.  Believing yourself to be “contaminated, guilty, and evil” 
  8.  A fragmented identity is common, with Dissociative Identity Disorderoccurring in some people. [1]:386 

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Interpersonal Sensitivity: 

  1.  feelings which are easily hurt
  2.  anger/temper outbursts 
  3.  difficulties with interpersonal relationships. 
  4.  Complex PTSD is normally the result of interpersonal trauma,…anger and rage both at perpetrators and the self can only be fully expressed after the trauma ends. 
  5.  loss of previously-held beliefs, with feelings of “being forsaken by both man and God”. [1]:382,386 

Affect Dysregulation:

  1.  unable to manage your own emotions, referred to as “difficulties with emotional regulation”
  2.  unexpressed anger and internalized rage
  3.  self-destructive or reckless/risk taking behaviors, [1]:382, [6] 

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People with Complex PTSD also meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD,which are: 

  1.  a persistent sense of threat, e.g. hypervigilance and being easily startled 
  2.  avoiding reminders of the traumas
  3.  re-experiencing or reliving the traumas
  4.  flashbacks 
  5.  intrusive thoughts about the trauma
  6.  Increased risk of both self-injury and repeated victimization, for example:
  7.  relationships with abusive people, 
  8.  sexual harassment
  9.  rape. [1]:387

[1] Judith Lewis-Herman, http://traumadissociation.com/complexptsd

  • Shawna Freshwater, Ph.D. [2]

    A. Reactions to a Trauma may include:

  1.  Feeling hopeless about the future
  2.  Feeling detached or unconcerned about others
  3.  Having trouble concentrating or making decisions
  4.  Feeling jumpy and getting startled easily at sudden noises
  5.  Feeling on guard and constantly alert
  6.  Having disturbing dreams and memories or flashbacks
  7.  Having work or school problems

 B. Physical Reactions:

  1.  Stomach upset and trouble eating
  2.  Trouble sleeping and feeling very tired
  3.  Pounding heart, rapid breathing, feeling edgy
  4.  Sweating
  5.  Severe headache if thinking of the event
  6.  Failure to engage in exercise, diet, safe sex, regular health care
  7.  Excess smoking, alcohol, drugs, food
  8.  Having your ongoing medical problems get worse

 C. Emotional:

  1.  Feeling nervous, helpless, fearful, sad
  2.  Feeling shocked, numb, and not able to feel love or joy
  3.  Avoiding people, places, and things related to the event
  4.  Being irritable or having outbursts of anger
  5.  Becoming easily upset or agitated
  6.  Blaming yourself or having negative views of oneself or the world
  7.  Distrust of others, getting into conflicts, being over-controlling
  8.  Being withdrawn, feeling rejected, or abandoned
  9.  Loss of intimacy or feeling detached

D. Common problems that can occur after a trauma:

  1.  Acute stress disorder (ASD) 
  2.  Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, (PTSD). http://spacioustherapy.com/experienced-trauma-think-ptsd/
  3.  Depression, http://spacioustherapy.com/how-do-i-know-if-i-am-depressed/
  4.  Self-blame, guilt and shame 
  5.  Suicidal thoughts, Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or call 911, https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org
  6.  Anger or aggressive behavior
  7.  Alcohol/Drug abuse

[2] Shawna Freshwater, Ph.D., https://spacioustherapy.com/common-reactions-trauma/