Complex PTSD for Men in Dallas, TX
Feeling constantly on the edge, struggling with emotions, and finding it hard to trust others — not just for days or weeks, but for months or even years. That’s not the plotline for a horror movie. It’s the reality for many individuals living with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), a condition that doesn’t quite get the attention it deserves, especially among men.
Unlike PTSD, which was officially recognized by psychologists in 1980, not all experts agree on what complex PTSD is. That could explain why complex PTSD isn’t in the public consciousness and why it’s not diagnosed as often as PTSD. We’ll leave the academic debate on whether complex PTSD should be identified as a separate mental health condition out of this post.
Instead, we’ll focus on discussing:
- What complex PTSD means (and its symptoms)
- How it’s different from PTSD
- Factors that could contribute to complex PTSD in Dallas men
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Understanding where C-PTSD comes from is an important place to start. Complex PTSD is a trauma response to prolonged and repeated trauma over months or years, such as ongoing domestic violence, slavery/captivity or childhood abuse. Men who have been prisoners of war are also at risk of complex PTSD.
How C-PTSD differs from PTSD
Complex PTSD is different on two basic levels — cause and symptoms.
Cause
PTSD—usually triggered by a single traumatic event (e.g., car accident, assault)
C-PTSD—results from repeated trauma over months or years (e.g., ongoing domestic violence, childhood abuse, prolonged captivity)
Symptoms
PTSD—re-experiencing, avoidance, and hypervigilance
C-PTSD —includes all PTSD symptoms plus additional challenges with emotional regulation and forming healthy relationships.
Symptoms of CPTSD
Complex PTSD shares all the same symptoms as PTSD, including:
- Re-experiencing — flashbacks, nightmares
- Avoidance
- Hypervigilance (constantly being on high alert)
- Depression and anxiety
- Substance abuse
- Headaches, dizziness or chest pains
One of the key differentiators between the two mental health conditions is the additional symptoms C-PTSD induces. If you have complex PTSD, you may experience:
Emotional regulation problems
You may find it challenging to manage your emotions, have frequent mood swings and can have intense feelings of sadness and anger.
Negative self-perception
There may be intense feelings of guilt and shame where you constantly question your self-worth.
Relationship issues
Trusting people may be difficult. You’re likely always to assume the worst about people because you cannot correctly distinguish between them and the person who caused you harm.
These issues can also work the other way around, where you deliberately pursue harmful relationships.
Why men in Dallas may be at risk
Dallas, TX, men are enthusiastic about many things, most notably their support for sports and art.
And there’s also enthusiasm for military service. A significant population of the men in Dallas are military veterans and may have been exposed to the casualties of war long enough that it triggers complex PTSD.
Dallas is also prone to severe weather events that can alter the shape of a man’s life for good. The aftermath of a natural disaster can involve long-term challenges such as displacement and financial hardship, which can prolong the traumatic experience.
Complex PTSD could even be triggered by survivor’s guilt if recalling the event happens with great frequency.
Other general factors include constant exposure to Dallas’ high crime and violence rates and the societal pressure to suppress emotions and always be perfect.
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CPTSD may not be popular, but its effects are more widespread than we care to admit. Quite possibly, many men who have complex PTSD may wave off its symptoms as “part of being a man.”
The truth could not be further away. Complex PTSD is as severe as any mental health condition gets and can have grave consequences if you continue to ignore it, such as continued relationship struggles, fear of abandonment in your relationships, anxiety, and self-esteem challenges. If you’ve been exposed to trauma for a prolonged period or know someone who has, consider reaching out to a professional trauma-informed therapist.
As a qualified therapist specializing in trauma, I’m here to help. I provide online therapy services for men in Texas. You can contact me here, and we can schedule a free online consultation.
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