Complex PTSD

Abstract

Some people who experience traumatic experiences develop a clinical presentation that goes beyond PTSD. Beyond the core PTSD symptoms, complex PTSD is characterised by severe affect regulation impairment, changes in attitudes towards other people and oneself. Typically, complex post-traumatic stress disorder is caused by prolonged traumatic experiences consisting of multiple or recurring traumatic events. The ICD-11 additionally states that these are usually events from which escape is difficult or even impossible (e.g. torture, slavery, genocide campaigns, continued domestic violence, repeated sexual or physical abuse in childhood).