31st January 2024

Complex PTSD (CPTSD)

This is a new ICD-11 diagnosis, which includes the already known symptoms of PTSD of re-experiencing trauma (flashbacks and nightmares), avoidance of stimuli that could act as reminders for the original trauma and hypervigilance. In addition to these, CPTSD has additional complex reaction in 3 main domains:  emotion regulation, self-identity and relational capacities. This new diagnosis has some similarities and overlap with borderline personality disorder, especially since both happen in people who experience traumatic events. A key difference between both is that an individual with CPTSD would have severe yet stable negative self-concept in contrast to someone with borderline personality disorder who would experience a shift in their self-image.