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What Is Complex PTSD? Understanding the Symptoms and Impact

Complex PTSD can develop after repeated or prolonged experiences of trauma. While many people are familiar with PTSD, fewer understand how complex trauma can continue to affect relationships, emotional wellbeing and everyday life.

Oct 12, 2026

Trauma Counselling Trauma Childhood trauma

"I thought I should be over this by now."

One of the most common things I hear in counselling is:

"It happened years ago. I don't understand why it's still affecting me."

Many people live with ongoing anxiety, hypervigilance, emotional overwhelm, relationship difficulties or a deep sense that something is not quite right, without realising these experiences may be connected to complex trauma.

For some people, trauma is linked to a single event. For others, it develops through repeated experiences that occur over months, years or sometimes throughout childhood.

This is often where Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Complex PTSD or C-PTSD) enters the conversation.

What Is Complex PTSD?

Complex PTSD is a response to repeated, prolonged or ongoing trauma, particularly where a person feels unable to escape, protect themselves or find safety.

Examples may include:

Childhood abuse
Childhood neglect
Family violence
Coercive control
Sexual abuse
Domestic violence
Human trafficking
Repeated interpersonal trauma
Living in a chronically unsafe environment

While PTSD can occur following a single traumatic event, Complex PTSD often develops when trauma occurs repeatedly over time.

Complex PTSD Is Not Just About Memories

Many people assume trauma is only about remembering what happened.

In reality, Complex PTSD often affects the way a person experiences themselves, other people and the world around them.

People commonly describe:

Feeling constantly on edge.

Struggling to trust people.

Feeling emotionally numb.

Becoming overwhelmed by strong emotions.

Carrying persistent shame or self-blame.

Feeling disconnected from themselves or others.

Common Signs of Complex PTSD

Rather than presenting as a list immediately, let's make this section more reader-friendly:

You may recognise some of the following experiences:

Emotional overwhelm

Emotions may feel intense, unpredictable or difficult to manage.

Hypervigilance

You may constantly scan for danger or find it difficult to relax, even when you are safe.

Relationship difficulties

Trust, intimacy and emotional connection may feel complicated or overwhelming.

Chronic shame

Many people with complex trauma carry beliefs that they are somehow damaged, flawed or responsible for what happened.

Difficulties with self-worth

Criticism may feel particularly painful, while self-compassion can feel difficult to access.

Why Complex PTSD Often Goes Unrecognised

Many adults have functioned for years while carrying the effects of trauma.

They have worked, raised families, maintained careers and continued meeting responsibilities.

As a result, they often assume that because they are coping on the surface, their experiences are no longer affecting them.

However, trauma can continue to influence relationships, emotional wellbeing, physical health and stress responses long after the original events have ended.

Can Counselling Help?

The good news is yes.

Understanding trauma is often the beginning of healing.

Trauma-informed counselling provides an opportunity to explore experiences safely, make sense of patterns that may have developed over time and build new ways of responding to stress and emotional challenges.

For many people, therapy helps transform confusion and self-blame into understanding, self-compassion and hope.

Complex PTSD Counselling in Cairns

In my Cairns counselling and psychotherapy practice, I work with adults who have experienced acute trauma, complex trauma, childhood trauma, abuse, neglect, family violence and other adverse life experiences.

Therapy is tailored to the individual and proceeds at a pace that feels safe, respectful and supportive.