Complex post-traumatic stress disorder. Issue 10345 (2nd July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maercker, Andreas; Cloitre, Marylene; Bachem, Rahel; Schlumpf, Yolanda R.; Khoury, Brigitte; Hitchcock, Caitlin; Bohus, Martin
• Is Part Of: Lancet. Volume 400:Issue 10345(2022)
• Page Start: 60
• Page End: 72
• Publication Date: 2022-07-02
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Medicine; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(22)00821-2
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0140-6736

Abstract

Summary: Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (complex PTSD) is a severe mental disorder that emerges in response to traumatic life events. Complex PTSD is characterised by three core post-traumatic symptom clusters, along with chronic and pervasive disturbances in emotion regulation, identity, and relationships. Complex PTSD has been adopted as a new diagnosis in the ICD-11. Individuals with complex PTSD typically have sustained or multiple exposures to trauma, such as childhood abuse and domestic or community violence. The disorder has a 1–8% population prevalence and up to 50% prevalence in mental health facilities. Progress in diagnostics, assessment, and differentiation from post-traumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder is reported, along with assessment and treatment of children and adolescents. Studies recommend multicomponent therapies starting with a focus on safety, psychoeducation, and patient-provider collaboration, and treatment components that include self-regulatory strategies and trauma-focused interventions.