Disclaimer: A formal diagnosis can only be done by an expert such as a psychiatrist. At Insightful, our counsellors help understand if a person may have Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD), through a careful process that includes: Initial Talk: The counsellor will have a detailed conversation to understand the person's experiences and symptoms. They will ask about the person's history, any traumatic events, current emotional state, and relationships. Symptom Check: The counsellor will discuss specific symptoms of CPTSD, such as: - Persistent sadness or depression. - Feeling emotionally numb or detached. - Difficulty controlling emotions, like frequent anger or intense sadness. - Negative feelings about oneself, such as worthlessness or guilt. - Problems with relationships, like difficulty trusting others. - Intrusive memories or flashbacks of traumatic events. - Constantly feeling on edge or having trouble sleeping. Diagnostic Criteria: The counsellor will use criteria from the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) to diagnose CPTSD. They will look for: - Symptoms of PTSD, like reliving the trauma, avoiding reminders, and feeling on edge. - Additional symptoms include difficulty managing emotions, negative self-perception, and relationship problems. Comprehensive Evaluation: The counsellor might gather information from other healthcare providers or review past medical or psychological records. By following these steps, the counsellor can hypothesis if the client may have CPTSD and develop a treatment plan to help manage symptoms and promote healing. If needed, they recommend their clients to visit the psychiatrist for a complete diagnosis and medications (if prescribed by the psychiatrist}