Hi Anita,

Yes, what you describe is my daughter, and I have heard of complex PTSD.

I read a book entitled, “No Comfort Zone; Notes on Living with PTSD” written by Marla Handy, who has C-PTSD.  And yes, as you describe, this is different from PTSD that is associated with war veterans.  The difference described in the book is that the war veteran had a normal life, was thrown into an abnormal life (war), and now has to get back to the normal life they had before war.  The C-PTSD individual has no “normal” to go back to.  Trauma from a young age. Now they have to break the connections their brains made and reform those connections.  Hence, therapy.

My daughter is trying her best to move forward.  She is no longer cutting.  She has issues going on job interviews because her old coping skills of recognizing threats takes over.  She battles this.  At this point I’m thinking about having her go on disability (SSI) to have some kind of income, because I’m it.

I’m hopeful that she will have a fulfilling life.  She’s a kind soul and deserves a good life.

Katie