Ask Kati Anything

"What's the difference between PTSD vs CPTSD?" | ep.214

May 2, 2024

Licensed therapist Kati Morton discusses the differences between trauma from a single event versus multiple traumas, the purpose of scheduling next therapy appointments, ways to stop ruminating, the link between self-harm and validation, and the challenges of setting boundaries in therapy and relationships.

42:23

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Episode guests

Kati Morton

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Trauma from single events leads to PTSD, while prolonged traumas result in complex PTSD with negative self-concept.

Setting boundaries can be challenging due to lack of modeling or codependency, but practice helps establish healthy relationships.

Anxious attachment in relationships often stems from past trauma, making boundary implementation difficult and triggering people-pleasing tendencies.

Deep dives

Understanding Trauma from Single Events vs. Multiple Events for PTSD vs. Complex PTSD

Trauma from single events and prolonged multiple events can lead to PTSD or complex PTSD, respectively. The distinction lies in the extra layers of complex PTSD that involve a negative self-concept and emotional dysregulation. Treatment approaches, including exposure therapy, are similar for both but may involve additional techniques like dialectical behavior therapy for complex PTSD.

Introduction

2min

Understanding Complex PTSD and Therapeutic Approaches

7min

Exploring Trauma Triggers and Memory Connections

2min

Coping Strategies for Intrusive Thoughts and Self-Harm

14min

Exploring the Role of Impulse Logs and Inner Child Work in Self-Care and Healing

4min

Navigating Boundaries in Relationships

9min

Navigating Boundary Setting and Recovery from Fawn Response

3min

On Ask Kati Anything, your mental health podcast episode 214 licensed therapist Kati Morton talks about trauma from a single event versus multiple traumas over time. She also explains why a therapist might ask you if you want to schedule your next appointment, how to stop ruminating, and why self harm can often be linked to a lack of validation. Then she discusses boundaries, why they can be hard to set, uphold, and why they can feel so bad sometimes.

audience questions:

1. How does trauma due to a single event (ex: a car accident or rape) differ from trauma from an extended period of time and multiple associated incidents (ex: a soldier in heavy combat during a deployment or being in an abusive relationship over years)? How do symptoms and the overall impact differ? How does the approach that a therapist takes to treat these two different scenarios differ? Is one easier to recover from than the other? 01:30

2. Why, at the end of every session, does my therapist ask me if I want to go ahead and schedule the next appointment or reach out for one later? I know I’m reading too much into this but the thought of her thinking I don’t really need therapy popped into my head. 09:53

3. Please talk about ruminating! It’s brutal, but it’s helped me remember and process narc abuse and bolstered me in my nc decision. But I need to move on, too. Thank you, Kati. 13:46

4. Why is it that self-harmers across the board all seem to struggle with validation of their emotional pain and self-harm? It’s as if we are in an unspoken competition to prove who has the worst pain. I see this in myself, and my OCD accentuates it. So there can be an element of compulsion to my self-harm. The bar keeps moving higher as to what I have to do to myself to prove my emotional pain is severe and the degree of self-harm valid... 18:30

5. Kati I was wondering why you don’t see patients anymore. I know you are busy but you have such great advice. Also I have been wondering why boundaries are hard for me. I broke my boundaries with my therapist and it seems to be hard not to do it again. I think I have an anxious attachment to her and I... 25:26

6. Why does upholding my boundaries feel so defeating? To give insight- I'm in a toxic relationship where my partner is regularly passive aggressive and my boundary is "I cannot tolerate this behavior, I get really panicky and actually don't hear what you're saying, so- whenever you do x, I will leave our conversation and go to my room." I am saving up to eventually leave, because he doesn't see a fault in his behavior and it's getting really exhausting... 31:06

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