Updated August 26th, 2026
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder, also called complex PTSD or CPTSD, has gained more attention in recent years, and for good reason.
CPTSD can affect how you see yourself, connect with others, regulate your emotions, and move through everyday life. Understanding these patterns can be an important step toward self-understanding and finding the right support.
Healing from complex trauma is possible, even when progress feels gradual. Sometimes, the changes build slowly until one day you realize, “Things are so much easier now.” Let’s explore CPTSD symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment in Chicago.
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) is a trauma-related mental health condition. It includes the core symptoms of PTSD along with additional difficulties involving emotional regulation, relationships, and a negative sense of self. These additional symptoms are a key feature that distinguishes CPTSD from PTSD.
CPTSD is recognized as an official diagnosis in the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). However, it is not currently listed as a separate diagnosis in the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5-TR, which is commonly used by mental health professionals in the United States. Instead, the DSM-5-TR uses a broader definition of PTSD that includes some symptoms associated with complex trauma and CPTSD.
Recognizing CPTSD as distinct from PTSD helps account for the additional challenges some trauma survivors experience and allows those concerns to be addressed as part of treatment.
CPTSD features all of the symptom clusters in PTSD (intrusion, avoidance, negative alterations in cognition and mood, alterations in arousal and reactivity) AND three additional symptom clusters.[3]
PTSD and CPTSD both feature:
Additional symptom clusters in CPTSD include:
Everyone experiences CPTSD differently. During the diagnostic process, a qualified provider (usually, a psychiatrist) will ensure that you meet the full criteria for the condition, including symptoms and other areas.
CPTSD can develop after exposure to prolonged, repeated, or ongoing trauma, sometimes referred to as complex trauma.[1] These experiences may occur over months, years, or even decades. Many people with CPTSD have experienced repeated harm or situations where escaping the trauma was difficult or impossible. Trauma may also take multiple forms such as physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional abuse.
Examples of experiences commonly associated with complex trauma include:
For some people, particularly those who experienced prolonged trauma early in life, there may not be a clear “before the trauma” or baseline to return to. Recovery can sometimes feel less like returning to who you were before and more like building a sense of safety, identity, and stability that you may not have had the opportunity to develop in the first place.
Not everyone who experiences complex trauma develops CPTSD. Certain experiences and individual factors may increase the likelihood of developing it. Research has identified childhood sexual abuse, physical abuse, childhood emotional neglect, and the female gender as factors associated with a higher risk of CPTSD.[2] However, CPTSD can affect people of any gender and can develop following trauma experienced at different stages of life.
While CPTSD isn’t yet in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, professionals use the criteria in the ICD 11 to detect the condition. Usually, this involves:
They will also rule out other possible causes of your symptoms. This is because some CPTSD symptoms can overlap with those seen in other disorders. It is possible for people with CPTSD to have co-occurring disorders. In fact, many do. When this is true, treatment should address both.
Complex PTSD and attachment issues are deeply interconnected. For many, it’s one of the big impacts CPTSD has on their lives. People with CPTSD are more likely to have insecure attachment styles, which could refer to:
Attachment theory asserts that the relationship you have with your caregivers as a child can affect the way you “attach” (trust, relate to, and form relationships with) others. Notably, a very prevalent form of complex trauma is harm perpetuated by caregivers, who are typically our first attachment figures.
If you have an insecure attachment style, you can become more securely attached. This is just one example of what can be improved through therapy. Interpersonal effectiveness, communication, and working toward a secure attachment style are common goals in CPTSD treatment.
Therapy is the main treatment for CPTSD. Seeing a trauma-informed therapist is strongly recommended for people with CPTSD. Trauma-informed providers actively avoid retraumatization and deeply understand the effects of complex trauma. Since the behavioral patterns and beliefs seen in CPTSD can be deeply ingrained (e.g., “I am bad,” “I cannot be fixed”), long-term therapy is often ideal.
Some of the best therapies for CPTSD include:
Complex PTSD treatment should always be personalized. Everyone responds best to different therapies for PTSD and Complex PTSD symptoms. Many people benefit most from a combination of different types of therapy for PTSD treatment on the path of overcoming and learning to navigate CPTSD symptoms.
Additional treatments and resources can be combined with therapy. For example, many people with PTSD and CPTSD take medication alongside therapy. Structured trauma treatment programs can be incredibly valuable when a person needs more intensive therapy than weekly or biweekly therapy for PTSD treatment can provide.
Clarity Clinic provides compassionate, trauma-informed treatment for complex PTSD (CPTSD) in Chicago and throughout Illinois. We offer in-person care at our Loop, River North, Lakeview Broadway, Lakeview Belmont, Evanston, and Arlington Heights locations, as well as online mental health services throughout Illinois.
Depending on your needs, treatment may include:
Finding a provider or treatment team you trust can make a meaningful difference in your growth and recovery. If you have questions or are ready to start treatment for complex PTSD, call your nearest Clarity Clinic location, contact us online, or book an appointment today.
See How We Can HelpRelated Readings:
There is no official list of exactly 17 CPTSD symptoms in the DSM-5-TR or ICD-11. However, commonly reported symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance, hypervigilance, emotional dysregulation, emotional numbness, shame, guilt, low self-worth, difficulty trusting others, relationship difficulties, social withdrawal, dissociation, irritability or anger, sleep problems, difficulty concentrating, and negative beliefs about yourself or the world.
Yes. Complex PTSD (CPTSD) is a mental health disorder recognized in the ICD-11. However, CPTSD is not a separate diagnosis in the DSM-5-TR, which is commonly used by mental health professionals. The DSM-5-TR instead includes a diagnosis of PTSD that can encompass many symptoms associated with complex trauma.
No. Complex PTSD is not a separate diagnosis in the DSM-5-TR, which is commonly used by mental health professionals in the U.S. However, CPTSD is recognized as a distinct diagnosis in the ICD-11.
To be evaluated for CPTSD, you’ll need to meet with a qualified mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist. They can assess your trauma history, symptoms, and how they affect your daily life and relationships. At Clarity Clinic, our psychiatrists provide comprehensive evaluations to determine the most appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan. We also offer therapy services to help address trauma-related symptoms and support long-term healing.
[1] When trauma becomes complex. (2025, March 1). https://www.apa.org/monitor/2025/03/ce-complex-ptsd
[2] What are the predictive variables that increase the risk of developing a complex trauma? A meta-analysis - sciencedirect. (2023, December, 15). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032723011825
[3] Complex posttraumatic stress disorder: The need to consolidate a distinct clinical syndrome or to reevaluate features of psychiatric disorders following interpersonal trauma? (2018, March 22). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5862650/
My name is James “Jimmy” Nagai. I work with children, teens, adults, and families. I utilize evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), play therapy, motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, and expressive therapies.
I also collaborate closely with families, schools, and support systems to provide well-rounded, individualized care.
I studied Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, and Family Development at the University of Dayton. I earned my Master of Social Work degree with a focus on Children and Families from Loyola University Chicago. I have experience working in community mental health clinics, social service agencies, and family-focused settings.
