What Happens If CPTSD Goes Untreated? The Truth No One Told You

Understanding CPTSD: It's More Than Just "Stress"

Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) isn’t your typical anxiety disorder. It usually stems from prolonged trauma, often in childhood — think years of abuse, neglect, captivity, or emotional control. It’s like PTSD... but with extra layers of pain.

But here's the catch: many people walk around undiagnosed. Or worse, they get told they’re "too sensitive" or just "have anxiety." (Ugh, if only it were that simple.)

And if it goes untreated? Yeah... things can spiral.

The emotional fallout of untreated CPTSD

Mood swings and emotional flashbacks

Ever felt like you’re suddenly 6 years old again — terrified, frozen, and you don’t even know why? That’s an emotional flashback. CPTSD doesn’t always come with clear images like PTSD. Instead, it can make you feel utterly broken out of nowhere.

One day you're fine. The next, you're crying in your car because your boss used that tone of voice. And no, you're not being dramatic. It's your brain reliving trauma... without your permission.

Chronic shame and guilt

Untreated CPTSD loves to whisper, “You’re not good enough.” It feeds off toxic self-perception, making you question every decision, every relationship, even your right to exist sometimes. Harsh? Yes. Real? Absolutely.

And here's the cruel part: even when good things happen, there's this feeling you don't deserve them.

Physical symptoms no one tells you about

Your body keeps the score (literally)

CPTSD doesn't just sit in your head. It lives in your body.

• Sleep disturbances

• Digestive issues

• Migraines or tension headaches

• Chronic fatigue

I knew someone — let’s call her L. — who was constantly sick. Doctors found “nothing wrong.” But years later, when she finally got therapy for childhood trauma, her body began to calm down. Coincidence? Doubt it.

Immune system burnout

Prolonged stress floods your system with cortisol and adrenaline. Over time, your immune system just gives up. That means more colds, longer healing times, and even increased risk of autoimmune conditions.

CPTSD’s impact on relationships

Trust issues on steroids

When untreated, CPTSD can turn relationships into a rollercoaster. You might either cling too tightly or push people away the moment they get close. And not because you want to. It’s your nervous system going, “Danger! Alert!”

Sometimes you’ll ghost people just to avoid the possibility of abandonment. Or stay in toxic situations because chaos feels... familiar.

Difficulty setting boundaries

You say "yes" when you mean "no." You feel guilty for taking up space. Boundaries? They feel like a foreign language. CPTSD blurs the line between self-protection and self-neglect, and without help, that line stays fuzzy.

Long-term consequences of never addressing it

Identity confusion and dissociation

Some people with untreated CPTSD feel like they don’t even know who they are. They change personalities depending on who they're with. They lose time. They feel detached from reality — like they’re watching their life from the outside.

It's not "just zoning out." It's dissociation. And it's scary as hell when you don't understand what's happening.

Substance use and self-harm

Unfortunately, many turn to alcohol, drugs, self-injury, or other numbing behaviors just to get a moment’s peace. It’s not about "partying too hard" — it’s about trying to shut off the noise inside.

And that’s the thing. Untreated CPTSD doesn’t just “go away.” It finds cracks in your life and pushes through.

So... what now?

If any of this feels painfully familiar, please know: you’re not broken. CPTSD is brutal, yes, but it’s treatable. Therapies like EMDR, somatic experiencing, or trauma-informed CBT can change lives.

It’s not a quick fix. Not even close. But healing is possible — and worth every step. Because living in survival mode 24/7? That’s not living. That’s just enduring.

And you, my friend, deserve way more than that.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.