Adult Trauma, Complex Trauma & PTSD in Newcastle
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What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress can develop after experiencing or witnessing a distressing event. Many adults describe a sudden shift in mood, sense of safety, or control following a major incident, such as an accident, assault, natural disaster, or medical emergency.
Our therapists have experience with PTSD in Newcastle, which is often recognised through ongoing symptoms that continue long after the event has passed. These may include vivid flashbacks, intrusive memories, nightmares, increased anxiety, or strong emotional or physical reactions to reminders. Avoidance of certain places, conversations, or activities is common, as are changes in mood such as fear, guilt, sadness, or feeling disconnected from others. Some people may notice increased irritability, sleep disturbances, hypervigilance, or a persistent sense of being on edge. These symptoms can affect work, relationships, and everyday routines.
Enquire today for more information. Please call Oracle Psychology Child & Adolescent Psychologists Newcastle on 02 4929 2223 or complete an intake form.
Complex PTSD, What Is It?
Complex PTSD develops from long-term or repeated trauma, often in situations where escape is limited or impossible. Unlike single-incident PTSD, C-PTSD is shaped by ongoing exposure to distress over months or years.
Adults may experience this after prolonged childhood abuse or neglect, ongoing domestic violence, captivity, war exposure, or repeated interpersonal harm. Symptoms often mirror PTSD but extend further, affecting emotional stability, self-beliefs, and relationships. Many people report intense emotional responses, chronic emptiness, shame, or a persistent sense of worthlessness. Difficulties with trust, relationship patterns, or maintaining boundaries can also emerge. Dissociation, characterised by a feeling of detachment from the body or surroundings, is another common feature.
At Oracle Psychology Child & Adolescent Psychologists Newcastle, individuals often describe how these experiences influence daily functioning and make it challenging to feel safe or grounded. To learn more, please contact us by phone or complete an intake form.
Treating PTSD & Complex Trauma
At Oracle Psychology Child & Adolescent Psychologists Newcastle, our treatment for PTSD and C-PTSD focuses on helping individuals understand their trauma responses, process distressing memories, and regain a sense of stability. Therapy is paced carefully to ensure safety and comfort throughout the process.
Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can help reduce fear responses and shift unhelpful thinking patterns linked to the event. EMDR helps the brain process painful memories in a less overwhelming way. Our therapists often find that most adults benefit from gradual exposure techniques, while others use skills-based approaches such as emotional regulation and grounding before deeper trauma work begins. We also recommend lifestyle strategies like consistent sleep routines, exercise, and reducing alcohol or drug use can also aid recovery. With the right guidance, many people find their symptoms become more manageable over time.
To get started or enquire about an appointment, please complete an intake form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main differences between PTSD and complex PTSD?
PTSD usually develops after a single traumatic event such as an accident, assault, or natural disaster. Symptoms often include flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance, and heightened alertness. Complex PTSD develops after long-term or repeated trauma, often in situations where escape is difficult. People may experience the core PTSD symptoms plus additional challenges such as emotional instability, persistent shame or guilt, difficulty trusting others, problems maintaining relationships, or periods of dissociation. C-PTSD tends to affect a person’s sense of identity and their ability to feel safe in day-to-day life.
Can PTSD symptoms appear months or years after a traumatic event?
Yes. While many people notice symptoms soon after the event, PTSD can develop months or even years later. This often happens when life changes remove distractions, increase stress, or bring reminders of the trauma back into focus. Delayed symptoms may include intrusive memories, strong reactions to triggers, avoidance of certain places or conversations, or emotional changes such as fear, irritability, or numbness. Because trauma affects everyone differently, the timing and intensity of symptoms vary widely.
Is it possible to recover from long-term or repeated trauma?
Many people recover or experience significant improvement with the right combination of therapy, stability, and support. Treatment often involves understanding trauma responses, processing painful memories safely, and learning skills that help regulate emotions and rebuild confidence. Trauma-focused therapies such as CBT or EMDR can reduce the intensity of memories, while grounding techniques, sleep routines, and healthy daily habits help stabilise symptoms. Recovery is usually gradual, but meaningful progress is common when treatment is consistent and paced appropriately.
