On Facebook PTSD Break the Silence shared the symptoms of Complex-PTSD. The people that decide what goes into the Psychology DSM-5 book did not place Complex-PTSD as separate from PTSD. They are similar enough that they didn’t consider complex-PTSD merited another heading. http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2013/05/18/dsm-5-released-the-big-changes/ If you wonder why I am including this information, please, be aware that DSM-5 is used to by insurance companies to decide how much money and appointments allowed for each condition. No one will give this information to you freely. You need to do your own research and to help advocate for yourself. (I realize that can be a very tall order when you can barely get out of bed some days. Sometimes a loved one will be your advocate and this information might help, at least I hope so.) My counselor wisely understood that some diagnosis are more socially acceptable than others. I feel frustrated that there is still so much prejudice. I do believe education is a key to changing people’s perception.
When an individual has C-PTSD, they have ongoing difficulty functioning in many areas of their lives. This is especially true in the areas of emotion and social interaction. The symptoms and characteristics of C-PTSD are often categorized into seven areas, or domains; these domains are areas of functioning that are impaired. Common symptoms and characteristics of people with C-PTSD can be organized by domain.Attachment
Symptoms and characteristics in this domain include:
Issues with relationship boundaries
Social isolation
Difficulty perceiving and responding to the emotional states of others
Distrust
A lack of empathy
Dissociation
Symptoms in this area include:
Amnesia
Development of two or more distinct states of consciousness with impaired memories
Distinct alterations in states of consciousness
Biology
The biology domain includes:
Problems with sensorimotor development
Problems with balance and coordination
Hypersensitivity to physical contact
Increased medical problems like pelvic pain or autoimmune disorders
Affect or Emotional Regulation
Characteristics and symptoms in this domain include:
Difficulties with emotional self-regulation
Problems describing feelings
Difficulties knowing and describing how one feels
Problems communicating wants and desires
Behavioral Control
Symptoms associated with behavioral control include:
Poor impulse control
Self-destructive behavior
Outward aggression
Sleep problems
Eating disorders
Substance abuse
Difficulty obeying and understanding rules
Re-enactment of past traumas in everyday life
Self-concept
This domain includes:
Problems around disturbances of body image
Low self-esteem
Shame and guilt
Cognition
People with issues in this domain may have:
Difficulties with attention
A lack of sustained curiosity
Difficulty with planning and anticipating
Difficulty understanding own role in what happens to them
Learning difficulties
Language development problems
Each Person Is Different
It is important to remember that each individual diagnosed with this condition is different. They each have their own set of circumstances and situations, and each will react to treatment in different ways.
PTSD - Accepting, Coping, Thriving 
Thank you for posting this. I’ve been told I have C-PTSD, but of course they can’t officially call it that because of the DSM-5.
It will be in the ICD when the new version is released, and should be understood even if the name isn’t used.
Should and is doesn’t always match. I am glad to hear that WHO is adding it to their ICD. I believe that is a step in the right direction. Unfortunately, being recognized in the ICD doesn’t mean that people understand anything about it. I’ve encountered counselors that have no understanding. I live with it and I barely understand what I live with day in and day out. I hope that a flow of information will broaden understanding. http://www.apa.org/monitor/2009/10/icd-dsm.aspx