Did you know that people with C-PTSD can experience up to 40-60% less energy compared to those without C-PTSD?

Complex PTSD (CPTSD) is a condition resulting from prolonged exposure to traumatic events, often during early development. Unlike PTSD, which typically stems from a single traumatic incident, CPTSD involves chronic trauma, such as ongoing childhood abuse or neglect. The impact of CPTSD on energy levels is profound and multifaceted, affecting emotional, mental, and physical well-being.

Emotional Energy

People with CPTSD often experience chronic feelings of emptiness, hopelessness, and depression. Severe anxiety and hypervigilance are common, along with intense, persistent feelings of guilt and shame. These emotional challenges lead to significant mental and emotional exhaustion. In contrast, individuals without CPTSD tend to have more stable emotional regulation and fewer intense emotional disturbances, conserving their mental energy for other activities.

Lack of Sleep

CPTSD frequently causes persistent nightmares and night terrors, insomnia, and fragmented sleep patterns. This results in chronic sleep deprivation, contributing to a continuous cycle of fatigue. On the other hand, those without CPTSD usually enjoy more consistent and restorative sleep, which boosts their daytime energy levels and overall well-being.

How The Body Keeps The Score

The constant state of high alertness and stress response activation in individuals with CPTSD can lead to chronic physical symptoms such as pain, headaches, and gastrointestinal issues. These physical manifestations consume significant energy, resulting in persistent fatigue. Numerous studies have established links between trauma and chronic illnesses, including autoimmune diseases.¹ Additionally, chronic stress has been associated with an increased risk of cancer, a diminished ability to fight infections, and other health complications.^2,3,4

People without CPTSD generally experience lower baseline stress levels and better physical health, allowing them to conserve energy more effectively.

“What was I Saying”

People with PTSD often forget their own train of thought and display typical ADHD symptoms, because their brain is busy processing old memories. They are constantly multitasking.

Furthermore, cognitive functions such as concentration, memory, and decision-making are often impaired in individuals with CPTSD due to ongoing stress. This leads to lower productivity and efficiency in daily tasks, resulting in increased mental fatigue and cognitive overload.

In contrast, those without CPTSD typically have higher mental clarity and focus, enabling them to manage daily responsibilities with greater ease and consistent mental energy.

Social Impact

Maintaining relationships can be particularly challenging for individuals with CPTSD due to trust issues, social withdrawal, and fear of abandonment. Increased social anxiety and isolation further drain emotional energy, creating a vicious cycle. Since social connection is a vital part of the healing process, leads to a vicious cycle of mental health issues and isolation.

Professional Impact

Persistent fatigue and exhaustion from CPTSD can significantly impair daily functioning, making it challenging to manage responsibilities and self-care. This often affects the individual’s ability to perform in a professional setting, potentially leading to job loss. The resulting financial stress stops people from being able to afford therapy. On top of that, the extra social isolation exacerbates their condition.

Healthy Brain vs PTSD Brain

The impact of PTSD can be observed across multiple domains: emotionally, physically, cognitively, socially, and even financially. How does this affect a person’s energy levels?

Effect of C-PTSD on Energy

An average brain uses approximately 20% of the body’s total energy, primarily for maintaining neuronal activity and cognitive functions.

People with PTSD, on the other hand, often experience significantly disrupted sleep patterns, including frequent nightmares. This means they wake up already exhausted, starting their day with less energy. As they go about their daily tasks, they are not only sleep-deprived but also burdened with the constant mental strain of processing traumatic memories, managing intense emotions, and juggling multiple thoughts simultaneously. This ongoing cognitive load further drains their limited energy, making everyday functioning particularly challenging.

While exact percentages vary, studies show that individuals with CPTSD often experience a significant reduction in energy levels, potentially feeling 40-60% more fatigued than those without CPTSD. This encompasses both mental and physical exhaustion due to the chronic nature of their symptoms.^5,6

Can you Heal a C-PTSD Brain?

Therapeutic Approaches: Trauma-focused therapies such as EMDR* (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and prolonged exposure therapy can be beneficial. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is also effective for emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness.

* find out more about EMDR and our EMDR psychologists here

Self-Care Practices: Regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and good sleep hygiene are crucial. Mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation techniques can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being.

Building Support Networks: Connecting with supportive friends, family, or peer support groups can provide emotional relief and improve energy levels. Therapeutic communities can also offer valuable support.

Medication Management: In some cases, medications prescribed by a healthcare provider can help manage symptoms, improving overall energy and functionality.

To Sum Up

CPTSD can profoundly affect energy levels due to a combination of emotional, cognitive, and physiological strain. Addressing these symptoms through therapy, lifestyle changes, and support networks is crucial for enhancing energy levels and overall quality of life. Understanding, care, and support are essential for managing CPTSD and maintaining well-being.

If you think you may have C-PTSD, please remember, you are worthy of healing, respect, and care. Take the first step towards recovery and book a therapy session today.

References

1. Hassett, A. L., & Clauw, D. J. (2012). Cumulative Childhood Stress and Autoimmune Diseases in Adults. Arthritis Research & Therapy, 14(6), 231. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3318917/
2. Berntsen, D., Johannessen, K. B., Thomsen, Y. D., Bertelsen, M., Hoyle, R. H., & Rubin, D. C. (2019). Psychological Stress and Cellular Aging in Cancer: A Meta-Analysis. Consciousness and Cognition, 33, 342-352. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6877941/
3. Chida, Y., & Steptoe, A. (2008). Meta-analysis of Stress-Related Factors in Cancer. Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, 5(12), 718-728. https://www.nature.com/articles/ncponc1134-c1
4. Dhabhar, F. S. (2009). Psychological Stress and the Human Immune System: A Meta-Analytic Study of 30 Years of Inquiry. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 119(5), 1060-1064. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1361287/
5. MDPI. (2023). To Predict, Prevent, and Manage Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A Review of Pathophysiology, Treatment, and Biomarkers. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(6), 5238. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/6/5238
6. Psychology Today. (2023). How PTSD Affects the Quality of Your Life. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/understanding-ptsd/202006/how-ptsd-affects-the-quality-your-life