What Are the Signs of PTSD and Complex PTSD?

Trauma can stay with you long after the danger has passed. You may find yourself feeling constantly on edge, avoiding certain places or situations, struggling with sleep, or reacting strongly to things that remind you of what happened. You may also wonder why you don't feel like yourself anymore.

The signs and symptoms of PTSD can affect your thoughts, emotions, behaviour and relationships. For some people, trauma can also lead to longer-term difficulties with emotional regulation, self-worth and connection with others. These experiences can feel confusing, particularly when you don't understand why you're reacting this way.

PTSD and Complex PTSD share some symptoms, but they aren't exactly the same. Understanding the difference can help you recognise what you may be experiencing and know when it could be time to seek support.

PTSD vs Complex PTSD: What's the Difference?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after you experience, witness or learn about a traumatic or life-threatening event. Symptoms can include re-experiencing what happened, avoiding reminders of the event, negative changes in thoughts and mood, and feeling constantly alert or on edge.

Complex PTSD (CPTSD) can develop after repeated or long-term trauma. This can include experiences such as childhood abuse or neglect, domestic violence, war or torture. Alongside PTSD symptoms, CPTSD can affect emotional regulation, self-image and relationships.

PTSD	Complex PTSD
Can develop after a traumatic event	Often develops after repeated or prolonged trauma
Includes re-experiencing, avoidance, negative thoughts and heightened alertness	Includes these PTSD symptoms plus additional difficulties
May affect mood, sleep, concentration and everyday life	May also affect emotional regulation, self-worth and relationships

CPTSD isn't simply a more severe form of PTSD. The conditions have overlapping features, but CPTSD can involve broader and more persistent difficulties following prolonged trauma.

Signs and Symptoms of PTSD

The PTSD signs and symptoms can look different from one person to another. You may experience several symptoms at once, or notice that certain reactions become stronger in particular situations.

Re-Experiencing the Traumatic Event

You may feel as though the traumatic experience is happening again, even when you know you're safe.

This can involve:

• Flashbacks or intrusive memories

• Distressing dreams or nightmares

• Strong emotional reactions to reminders of the trauma

• Physical reactions such as sweating, a racing heart or panic

• Feeling overwhelmed by sights, sounds, smells or situations that remind you of what happened

These reactions can be frightening. A trigger doesn't have to seem obvious to you or anyone else. Sometimes your body reacts before you have worked out what brought the feeling on.

Avoidance and Changes in Thoughts and Mood

Avoidance can feel like the easiest way to cope. You might avoid certain people, places, conversations or activities because they remind you of the trauma.

You may also:

• Try not to think or talk about what happened

• Feel emotionally numb or detached

• Lose interest in activities you once enjoyed

• Experience guilt, shame or self-blame

• Develop negative thoughts about yourself or the world

• Find it difficult to feel close to other people

Over time, avoiding reminders can begin to limit your life. You may turn down invitations, change your routines or withdraw from people without fully understanding why.

Heightened Alertness and Changes in Behaviour

After trauma, your brain and body can remain alert for danger even when you're no longer in immediate danger.

You might:

• Feel constantly on guard

• Startle easily

• Become irritable or angry

• Struggle to concentrate

• Have difficulty sleeping

• Feel tense or restless

• Scan your surroundings for possible threats

Living in this state of alertness can become exhausting. You may feel as though you can never completely switch off.

Signs and Symptoms of Complex PTSD

Complex PTSD can include the main symptoms of PTSD, including re-experiencing trauma, avoidance and feeling constantly on alert. However, prolonged or repeated trauma can also affect the way you see yourself, manage emotions and relate to other people.

Difficulty Managing Emotions

You may experience emotions that feel unusually intense or difficult to control. Small situations can sometimes trigger reactions that feel much bigger than expected.

You might:

• Become overwhelmed by anger, fear or sadness

• Find it difficult to calm yourself after becoming upset

• Feel emotionally numb or disconnected

• Struggle to identify or express what you're feeling

• Experience sudden shifts between intense emotion and emotional shutdown

These reactions don't mean you're weak or overreacting. They can reflect the lasting effects of trauma on how you respond to stress.

Negative Self-Image and Sense of Self

Long-term trauma can change the way you see yourself. You may carry shame or guilt that doesn't belong to you, particularly if someone harmed or mistreated you repeatedly.

You might:

• Feel worthless or damaged

• Blame yourself for what happened

• Feel powerless or helpless

• Experience persistent shame or guilt

• Focus heavily on your perceived flaws

• Struggle to recognise your strengths

These beliefs can feel deeply ingrained, but they aren't a measure of your actual worth.

Difficulties With Relationships and Feeling Connected

Trauma can also affect your ability to feel safe with other people. If someone repeatedly hurt, controlled or betrayed you, trusting others may feel difficult.

You might:

• Keep people at a distance

• Fear rejection or abandonment

• Struggle to trust others

• Avoid close relationships

• Feel disconnected even when you're around people

• Have difficulty communicating your needs

• Find it hard to set healthy boundaries

You may want connection while also feeling safer alone. That conflict can be painful, but it can also make sense when viewed in the context of what you've experienced.

When Should You Seek Support for Trauma?

Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD or Complex PTSD. Many people experience distress after a traumatic event and gradually recover, particularly when they have support around them.

Consider seeking professional support if:

• Trauma-related symptoms continue for an extended period.

• Your sleep has become disrupted.

• You find it difficult to manage work or study.

• Your relationships are becoming strained.

• You avoid activities, places or people because of what happened.

• You feel constantly on edge, overwhelmed or emotionally numb.

• Your symptoms interfere with everyday life.

• You feel like you're struggling to cope on your own.

You don't need to wait until things become unbearable. You also don't need a diagnosis before talking to a psychologist.

For more information, explore our trauma therapy resources.

Get the Right Support for Trauma

You don't have to work through trauma on your own.

The signs and symptoms of PTSD can leave you feeling exhausted, disconnected or constantly on edge, while Complex PTSD can also affect your emotions, self-worth and relationships.

At Calder Psychology, we provide a safe, supportive space to talk about what you're experiencing. Our psychologists can help you understand how trauma may be affecting you and develop practical strategies to support your wellbeing. We also offer evidence-based approaches such as EMDR for trauma and distressing life experiences.

You don't need to diagnose yourself or have everything figured out before reaching out. If trauma continues to affect your everyday life, our team is here to help. Contact Calder Psychology to take the first step towards getting the support you need.

If trauma continues to affect the way you think, feel or connect with others, Calder Psychology is here to help. Contact our team to discuss how psychological support may be right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Trauma

What are the signs of unresolved trauma?

Unresolved trauma may cause intrusive memories, avoidance, emotional numbness, anxiety, sleep problems, difficulty trusting others and feeling constantly on edge.

What is complex PTSD?

Complex PTSD can develop after prolonged or repeated trauma. Along with core PTSD symptoms, it can affect emotional regulation, self-worth and relationships.

Can childhood trauma affect adults?

Yes. Childhood trauma can affect your emotional wellbeing, relationships, self-image and responses to stress well into adulthood. It can also contribute to Complex PTSD.

Why do I freeze instead of fight or flight?

Freezing is an automatic response to perceived danger. Your nervous system may make you feel still, numb or disconnected rather than prompting you to fight or escape.

Can trauma affect memory?

Yes. Trauma can affect concentration and memory. Some people may struggle to remember parts of a traumatic experience, while others may experience intrusive memories that feel difficult to control.

Can trauma make you tired?

Yes. Trauma can leave you feeling mentally and physically exhausted, particularly when your body remains on alert or trauma affects your sleep. Chronic fatigue can also occur with Complex PTSD.

Can trauma cause memory loss?

Memory loss from trauma can affect how you recall certain experiences. You may struggle to remember parts of a traumatic event, while other memories may feel unusually vivid or intrusive. However, memory difficulties can have many causes, so they don't automatically mean you have PTSD or Complex PTSD.

Why do I keep people at a distance?

Keeping people at a distance can sometimes feel safer after experiences that damaged your sense of trust or safety. You may fear rejection, betrayal or losing control. These patterns can make sense in the context of trauma and can be explored with a psychologist.