PTSD and CPTSD – what's the difference?
In this brief YouTube explainer, Brad Schipke clarifies the distinction between Post‑Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD (CPTSD). He explains that PTSD typically stems from a single, overwhelming incident—such as an accident, assault, or disaster—whereas CPTSD arises from prolonged, repeated trauma like childhood abuse, neglect, or sustained periods of fear. Beyond memory intrusions, CPTSD also disrupts a person’s sense of identity, trust, and safety in relationships. Schipke emphasizes that both conditions are trauma responses that can be healed, noting that CPTSD often requires a longer healing timeline because more traumatic material must be processed, but it remains fully treatable. He concludes with a call to subscribe and watch his longer videos for deeper guidance.
