Complex PTSD Inpatient Treatment

Our Evidence-Based Residential Treatment Programs for CPTSD at Icarus Nevada

In the intricate world of mental health, Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) stands as one of the most unique and challenging mental health disorders, often stemming from prolonged exposure to complex trauma that permeates the core of one’s existence. Addressing the complexities of this form of post-traumatic stress disorder requires a tailored approach to treatment—and a facility that acknowledges the care it takes to heal from certain traumatic events that led to an individual’s complex PTSD.

If you or someone you love has struggled with CPTSD, you may already know how difficult to live with the condition can be. However, hope is not lost. Effective, evidence-based therapies for trauma treatment can be found at Icarus Nevada.

In this article, we’ll focus on the nuances of our complex PTSD inpatient treatment center, shining a spotlight on complex PTSD treatment approaches – including therapeutic modalities, holistic approaches, and the admirable resilience of the individuals navigating the path of recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder.

If you or someone you love suffers from this serious mental health condition, follow along as we shine a spotlight on complex PTSD treatment, and how Icarus Behavioral Health Nevada has helped countless clients overcome the seemingly never-ending impact of complex PTSD.

When this article concludes, our hope is that you’ll have a clearer picture of complex PTSD inpatient treatment, and the difference between standard post-traumatic stress disorder and complex PTSD.

Get Effective Inpatient Support for CPTSD Recovery at Icarus in Nevada

Complex trauma is a severe mental health condition and is not to be taken lightly – as it’s important to remember that it’s often easier to heal from physical wounds than psychological ones. At Icarus Behavioral Health in Las Vegas, while we treat a variety of other mental health disorders, we take special care when approaching the treatment of traumatic events – and take pride in being considered one of the leading complex PTSD treatment centers in the state of Nevada.

It takes a team of experts from a dedicated complex PTSD treatment program to provide impactful therapy that manifests healing in our clients. First, let’s take a look at complex trauma and how it leads to the need for complex PTSD treatment. What’s the difference between complex PTSD and regular PTSD?

What Differentiates Complex PTSD from Traditional PTSD?

Both Complex PTSD and PTSD stem from some type of experience or event that caused significant trauma. In the case of extremely complex trauma – there are differences that separate this variation from the standard variety.

Complex PTSD and the standard version cause vivid flashbacks and intense nightmares. Many of those who suffer from these conditions wake up in cold sweats. Despite the fact that the danger is no longer present, the complex trauma experienced stays with the individual, causing these intense episodes of one reliving the event.

Childhood Events and the Origins of Complex Trauma

The primary difference between these two forms is how often the episodes and trauma take place. Normally, PTSD is triggered by a specific event, and trauma can also be triggered by a partner or spouse. On the other hand, complex PTSD is brought on by extended periods of trauma that happen continuously for months – and in some cases, even longer.

PTSD can happen to anybody at any age. Complex PTSD, however, generally only takes place as a result of childhood trauma, which is then compounded by adult traumatic experiences. The harmful impact of oppressing these memories causes further complications, leading to even more severe symptoms as time goes on.

The Origins of Complex PTSD

• Caused by consistent, repeated episodes of complex trauma
• Normally stems from childhood experiences
• Commonly occurs in those who experience some type of racism or oppression from the justice system
• Complex trauma is almost always more intense than ‘traditional’ PTSD.

In Contrast to Those of PTSD

• Brought on by a single event
• This can happen at any age
• Generally not as intense as complex PTSD

Complex trauma treatment often entails far more intense therapy – calling for assistance from Complex PTSD treatment centers and programs such as our services at Icarus Nevada.

What are the Common Symptoms of Complex PTSD?

Because complex PTSD has higher levels of severity, it also carries with it a distinct set of symptoms. Complex PTSD is usually identified by the following:

• Extremely difficult to control emotions
• Without treating complex trauma, individuals often maintain a negative self-image. Feelings of loneliness, sadness, and deep depression often come with it.
• Many victims of complex PTSD also suffer from borderline personality disorder. They have a difficult time maintaining relationships and trusting those closest to them. In many cases, they avoid relationships altogether for fear of being hurt.
• They may disassociate from their trauma and the environment around them – this is often what leads to the onset of personality disorder.
• Individuals may also lose their faith or stray from other deep personal beliefs.

The most important step for mental health professionals who attempt to treat complex trauma issues is diagnosing this mental illness. Prolonged trauma also leads to substance abuse challenges, which can make it even more difficult to diagnose the underlying existence of complex PTSD symptoms.

The Difficulty of Diagnosing Complex PTSD

The condition and symptoms of complex PTSD aren’t new by any means – nor are the trauma treatment programs that attempt to provide healing. However, surprisingly, this disorder isn’t recognized by the APA. Even though it comes with unique side effects – many believe it’s nearly identical to PTSD, thus eliminating a unique diagnosis.

Because of this, there is no set of diagnostic tests that identify this disorder for mental health professionals. Professionals recommend that because of the lack of diagnostic criteria, individuals should personally keep track of major episodes and symptoms to help.

This means writing down when a traumatic event resurfaces or you have a flashback. It can be difficult as this exposes you to the event, but it’s an important part of moving forward with therapy.

Treating Complex PTSD Effectively

The treatment of Complex PTSD is taken on in multiple settings. Non-conventional methods of treatment like eye movement desensitization response (EMDR) have delivered successful results, in addition to various forms of group therapy and talk therapy.

Eye movement desensitization is a unique form of treatment that entails patients reliving the experience in their minds during a sequence of rapid eye movements. Before attempting to thoroughly treat this disorder, it helps to have a solid understanding of some of the more specific causes.

Other forms of trauma release can include group therapy, DBT approaches, and the release of trauma trapped in the body’s memory through neurogenic exercises that cause release tremors.

What are the Specific Causes of Complex PTSD?

C-PTSD is caused by extensive and continuous periods of severe abuse or other forms of trauma. This abuse seems to happen at the most critical stages of an individual’s life – when they’re developing mentally or physically. Those who suffer repeated instances of these painful events deal with lifetime obstacles.

Cases of an extremely traumatic event is proven to cause a significant number of adverse impacts on the brain. Scientific studies have proven that trauma plays a role in critical brain areas like the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. The most common forms of continuous trauma that spark C-PTSD seem to be child abandonment or neglect, in addition to witnessing or experiencing domestic violence, torture or slavery, warfare, and even genocide.

The common theme with these cases is the fact that those who suffer these events are under the authority and control of another person or group of people, and are unable to escape their situation. They are defenseless against these repeated, violent behaviors, and ultimately suffer from flashbacks of the event at an older age.

Overcoming the Effects of C-PTSD on Daily Life

Treating C-PTSD is no easy task. Because there isn’t technically a recognized illness according to modern psychology, it’s difficult to come up with a concrete diagnosis. However, this doesn’t mean this set of symptoms isn’t treatable with the right mental health strategy.

The first line of defense is group therapy in combination with several one-on-one therapeutic modalities and holistic therapies. Journaling and art therapy are often used to combat the side effects of C-PTSD.

The next line of defense is medication – but as with many cases of mental disorders, this should also be the last line of defense. However, it’s understood that in some cases, the administration of prescription drugs is unavoidable for the effective treatment of trauma.

Medications for Trauma Treatment

Certain medications have a positive impact on the treatment of C-PTSD. Some of the same drugs that treat depression have been successful at keeping C-PTSD at bay – including Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil. It’s worth noting that these should only be taken under the supervision of a professional, and should never be considered a long-term cure for any mental health disorder or traumatic event.

Psychotherapy and EMDR as Trauma Work

Psychotherapy entails finding and singling out these damaging memories and harmful thought patterns. Through behavioral therapy, replacing them with more positive responses and learning new coping mechanisms. With continued practice, individuals can learn to adapt to the feelings brought on by their trauma.

Finally, EMDR, as mentioned earlier, uses guided eye movements by the therapist to lead the client into reprocessing and reframing these harmful memories. Over a short period, the process reduces the damaging feelings the client associates with their negative memories.

Coping and Dealing with Daily Life

There are proactive steps that patients suffering from C-PTSD can take that can provide a significant amount of relief. Use the following methods to help between sessions with your counselor:

• Find a powerful support system. Many people already have an impactful support system in front of them in the form of their families. However, some people aren’t so lucky – especially in the event of trauma cases. It’s important to find at least one person you trust to open up to. When you feel triggered, contact this individual and share your feelings, as it helps to get these negative emotions off your chest.
• Be mindful of your feelings and emotional responses. C-PTSD quite often leads to stress, depression, and severe anxiety. Using mindfulness can help you maintain a state of awareness of the feelings you’re experiencing. This allows you to remain focused and grounded at the moment instead of allowing your thoughts to wander.
• Writing down your feelings and thoughts can be a powerful form of self-therapy. As mentioned before, journaling is one of the most potent forms of treatment. However, you don’t have to be in the presence of a mental health professional to practice this form of treatment. Get a personal journal and write down exactly what you feel when you begin to experience a negative episode. This can help you identify the symptoms when they’re incoming, allowing you to practice mindfulness as a response mechanism.

Get Effective Complex PTSD Inpatient Treatment at Icarus in Nevada

Despite the complexities of this disorder – it doesn’t have to be crippling or take over your life. The best form of help is through the professional and compassionate staff at Icarus Behavioral Health Nevada. Together, we have decades of combined experience in the mental health space and are well-versed in helping clients take on the most intense forms of trauma caused by adverse events, abuse, and other ordeals.

You don’t have to fight this battle alone – let one of your mental health professionals help guide you out of the dark and into recovery. For more information about our treatment options, contact a member of our admissions team today!