Trauma & Dissociation

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Clinical Definition: PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event.
• Layman’s Definition: PTSD develops after very scary or dangerous events, leaving you on edge and haunted by memories.
• Common Symptoms: Flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, emotional numbness, avoidance, sleep issues, irritability.

Complex PTSD (CPTSD)

• Clinical Definition: CPTSD stems from prolonged trauma and includes PTSD symptoms plus emotional and relational challenges.
• Layman’s Definition: A deeper version of PTSD caused by long-term trauma, often in childhood.
• Common Symptoms: Emotional dysregulation, low self-worth, relationship struggles, chronic shame, dissociation.

Disorders of Extreme Stress Not Otherwise Specified (DESNOS)

• Clinical Definition: A trauma-related condition similar to CPTSD, often seen in individuals exposed to prolonged trauma.
• Layman’s Definition: A mix of PTSD symptoms and emotional struggles after ongoing trauma.
• Common Symptoms: Emotional numbness, low self-esteem, identity issues, mood instability. 

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) 

• Clinical Definition: Presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states.
• Layman’s Definition: Switching between identities as a way to cope with trauma.
• Common Symptoms: Memory gaps, blackouts, identity confusion.

Depersonalization Disorder 

• Clinical Definition: Persistent detachment from one's self, as if observing from outside the body.
• Layman’s Definition: Feeling like you're watching yourself from outside your body.
• Common Symptoms: Feeling unreal, dream-like sensations, emotional numbness.

Derealization Disorder 

• Clinical Definition: Persistent detachment from the world around you, which may feel foggy or dreamlike.
• Layman’s Definition: The world feels fake or distant, like a movie.
• Common Symptoms: Disconnection, visual distortions, emotional detachment.