People with CPTSD (Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) often get multiple diagnoses. Symptoms change over time and reflect different parts of the trauma. These overlapping diagnoses can confuse people, especially when each one captures only a small piece of the puzzle. For many, a CPTSD misdiagnosis occurs when healthcare providers treat symptoms without understanding the underlying trauma.

Let’s explore 14 common diagnoses that overlap with CPTSD and why they happen so often.

Why CPTSD Misdiagnosis is Common When Trauma Is Present

Misdiagnosis is common for people with trauma histories. Doctors often treat immediate symptoms, like depression or anxiety, without considering trauma. Over time, these misdiagnoses build up. They address only pieces of the problem but miss the core issue—complex trauma.

Some conditions mimic others, like ADHD or borderline personality disorder. In these cases, a misdiagnosis can happen when the trauma history isn’t fully explored. Over-diagnosis occurs when doctors see behaviors in isolation instead of connecting them to trauma. The key to healing is working with trauma-informed professionals who understand these challenges. They can ensure diagnoses aren’t just labels but pathways to effective care.

14 Diagnoses That Might Really Be CPTSD

Here are common diagnoses that often overlap with or are mistaken for CPTSD:

1. Depression

Trauma often leads to deep sadness and hopelessness. Depression may seem like the issue. But in many cases, it’s a CPTSD misdiagnosis, with trauma driving the symptoms.

2. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Persistent worry and fear are common in CPTSD. Doctors often diagnose generalized anxiety disorder. However, this could be a CPTSD misdiagnosis, where unresolved trauma is the real cause.

3. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

CPTSD and BPD share struggles with emotions and relationships. Doctors may misdiagnose people with CPTSD as having BPD. Both conditions involve emotional instability and fear of abandonment.

4. Dissociative Disorders

CPTSD often leads to dissociation. People may disconnect mentally to cope with trauma. This can cause misdiagnosis as a dissociative disorder, like dissociative identity disorder (DID) or depersonalization/derealization disorder.

5. Substance Use Disorders

Many trauma survivors turn to substances for relief. Drugs and alcohol numb emotional pain. This can lead to a diagnosis of substance use disorder. But the true underlying issue could be CPTSD.

6. Eating Disorders

Some people with CPTSD develop eating disorders. These include anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating. They may use food to control their environment or manage emotional pain.

7. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors can appear in CPTSD. This leads to a diagnosis of OCD. But these behaviors often stem from trauma rather than obsessive-compulsive disorder itself.

8. Panic Disorder

Panic attacks are common in people with CPTSD. The heightened fear and hypervigilance from trauma can lead to a diagnosis of panic disorder. But trauma is often the real cause behind these attacks.

9. Somatic Symptom Disorder

People with CPTSD often report chronic pain or fatigue. Doctors diagnose them with somatic symptom disorder when no medical explanation is found. However, these physical symptoms are often tied to emotional stress from trauma.

10. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

CPTSD can look like ADHD. Both involve trouble concentrating and regulating emotions. However, trauma drives the symptoms in CPTSD, not a neurodevelopmental disorder.

11. Bipolar Disorder

The mood swings in CPTSD can resemble bipolar disorder. But these emotional shifts usually link back to unresolved trauma, not a mood disorder.

12. Sleep Disorders

People with CPTSD often struggle with sleep. Insomnia and nightmares are common. This leads to sleep disorder diagnoses, though the real issue may be hypervigilance and trauma-related flashbacks.

13. Social Anxiety Disorder

CPTSD can lead to fear of judgment or rejection in social situations. These behaviors may cause a diagnosis of social anxiety disorder. However, these fears often stem from difficulties with trust and relationships caused by trauma.

14. Self-Harm (Non-Suicidal Self-Injury)

Some people with CPTSD use self-harm to cope. They may cut, burn, or injure themselves to control overwhelming emotions. This often links to emotional dysregulation rather than being a standalone condition.

The Importance of Specialized Care

Because CPTSD shares symptoms with other conditions, it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis. Working with a trauma-informed therapist is essential. Not all professionals understand the complexities of CPTSD. You need someone who can connect your symptoms back to trauma.

Therapies that focus on a “bottom-up” approach are often the most effective. These methods include EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and somatic experiencing. They focus on regulating the nervous system and releasing trauma stored in the body. A therapist trained in these approaches helps you heal trauma at its core. With the right care, you can find balance, safety, and well-being.