If you are reading this, your Complex Trauma (C-PTSD) symptoms have been worsened by one, or maybe all, of the following mainstream institutions: conventional medicine, mainstream mental health modalities, social services, the educational system, oppressive family & criminal court systems, and the exploitive self-help community. Those of us battling C-PTSD symptoms find ourselves either navigating these supposed helping systems, or crashing against their euphemisms of safety and health. The very systems that we are told will help us often are iatrogenic.
Iatrogenic means that the healing modalities administered or prescriptions given actually are worse than the original symptoms or issues being addressed. It is a travesty that the idea of healing C-PTSD is rarely talked about, and even speaking of effective approaches to healing C-PTSD that run counter to the mainstream orthodoxy, might even be illegal in certain circumstances. Here is a list of the 4 main reasons why mainstream institutions are worsening C-PTSD symptoms:
The USA does not recognize C-PTSD as an official diagnosis.
Treating the comorbid symptoms of C-PTSD as chronic and as separate diagnoses fails to recognize the cause connecting the multiple symptoms.
The new neuroscience clearly shows that Substance-Related Disorders should be one of the criteria for C-PTSD and not its own category as a primary brain disorder.
Older Therapeutic Modalities, “Tough Love” Approaches, & Coercive tactics in Therapy, Law, and Education Reinforce the Symptoms & Exacerbate C-PTSD Symptoms.
Why Western Psychology Fails Those with Complex Trauma
In the shadows of our society, many grapple with Complex Trauma (C-PTSD) silently, often exacerbated by the very institutions they turn to for help. Western psychology, along with conventional medicine, social services, and the educational system, stands accused of not only failing to alleviate these conditions but in many cases, worsening them with iatrogenic treatments. This indictment isn't made lightly; it's a result of systemic failings that demand urgent critique and reform.
Institutional Negligence and Misdiagnosis
The failure begins with recognition—or, more accurately, the lack thereof. The fact that the USA does not officially recognize C-PTSD as a diagnosis speaks volumes about the ignorance and neglect faced by sufferers. This is more than an oversight; it's a systemic dismissal of the severe and pervasive impact of prolonged trauma. Without recognition, there can be no appropriate treatment, and thus, no relief.
Moreover, the treatment of comorbid symptoms of C-PTSD as separate, chronic diagnoses completely misses the interconnected nature of the disorder. This fragmented approach does nothing to address the root causes of trauma, instead leaving patients battling an array of misdiagnosed symptoms, contributing to a perpetual cycle of pain and confusion.
Outdated Modalities and Harmful Interventions
Many therapeutic interventions that are widely used today hinge on outdated models and often harmful "tough love" approaches. These methods do not merely fail; they actively harm those they are meant to help, reinforcing the very symptoms they aim to alleviate. Coercive tactics in therapy, as well as in legal and educational systems, exacerbate the feelings of helplessness and entrapment that are hallmarks of C-PTSD.
The Disregard for Modern Neuroscience
It is particularly egregious that despite advances in neuroscience indicating that Substance-Related Disorders should be considered a criterion for C-PTSD, mainstream psychology continues to treat them as separate primary disorders. This outdated categorization further stigmatizes and misinforms treatment plans, leaving a significant aspect of trauma unaddressed.
The Financial and Emotional Toll of Ineffective Treatments
The consequences for those seeking help are dire. Many find themselves subjected to a barrage of ineffective pharmaceutical and psychological interventions that offer minimal relief, if any. The financial and emotional costs of these ineffective treatments can be overwhelming, leaving individuals in a worse state than before seeking help.
A Dire Need for a Trauma-Informed Approach
The pervasive issues within these supposed "helping" systems signify a profound need for a shift towards integrated, trauma-informed care. This care must recognize the role of trauma in the etiology of chronic conditions and implement therapeutic interventions that target the root causes of trauma, rather than superficially treating its symptoms.
As a society, we must demand better. It's time to challenge and overhaul the systems that perpetuate the cycle of trauma. Only through a compassionate, nuanced approach that acknowledges the complexity of C-PTSD can we hope to offer real support and pave the way for genuine healing. The current state of affairs is unacceptable, and the time for change is now. The humanity within us demands to help those suffering in silence, to recognize their struggles, and transform our approach to one that fosters healing, not harm.
How does the lack of official recognition for Complex Trauma (C-PTSD) in the United States reflect broader systemic issues in Western psychology, and what are the consequences for those suffering from this condition?
The lack of official recognition for Complex Trauma (C-PTSD) in the United States is a glaring example of broader systemic issues within Western psychology. This omission represents not just an oversight but a profound neglect of those suffering from prolonged, severe trauma. Without formal recognition, there is no framework for the appropriate treatment of C-PTSD, leaving individuals without the necessary relief and support they desperately need.
This systemic dismissal has significant repercussions. Individuals with C-PTSD are often misdiagnosed, with their symptoms treated as separate, chronic issues rather than manifestations of an interconnected disorder. This fragmented approach fails to address the underlying trauma, perpetuating a cycle of pain and confusion. Furthermore, many commonly used therapeutic interventions are based on outdated models and potentially harmful methodologies, such as "tough love" tactics, which can exacerbate the symptoms of C-PTSD, including feelings of helplessness and entrapment.
Additionally, the disregard for modern neuroscience in mainstream psychology—where substance-related disorders are not considered a criterion for C-PTSD despite evidence suggesting they should be—results in stigmatization and misinformed treatment plans. This outdated categorization leaves a crucial aspect of trauma unaddressed.
The emotional and financial toll on those seeking help for C-PTSD is significant, with many subjected to ineffective treatments that offer minimal relief. This not only worsens their condition but also imposes overwhelming financial and emotional burdens.
The dire state of affairs underscores the need for a shift towards integrated, trauma-informed care that recognizes the role of trauma in the etiology of chronic conditions and focuses on therapeutic interventions that target the root causes of trauma rather than just treating its symptoms. A compassionate, nuanced approach that acknowledges the complexity of C-PTSD is essential for providing real support and paving the way for genuine healing. Society must advocate for this change, challenging and overhauling the systems that perpetuate the cycle of trauma to foster an environment of healing and support.
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