Complex post-traumatic stress disorder

A disorder arising after prolonged or repeated exposure to extremely threatening or horrific events from which escape is difficult or impossible. In addition to core PTSD features, it includes severe problems with emotion regulation, persistent negative beliefs about oneself, and profound difficulties in sustaining relationships.

Symptoms

• Re-experiencing trauma (intrusive memories) (also: Re-experiencing trauma – intrusive memories, flashbacks, Re-experiencing trauma – intrusive memories, flashbacks, intrusions, intrusive memories, intrusive thoughts about event)
• Traumatic flashbacks (also: Flashbacks – re-experiencing trauma as if happening now, Flashbacks – trauma replayed as if it were the present, flashbacks, flashbacks, recurring episodes of reliving trauma)
• Difficulties with emotion regulation (also: Difficulties with emotion regulation (intense, variable, difficult to control), Difficulties with emotion regulation – intense, variable, difficult to control, difficulties in emotion regulation, problems with emotion regulation, emotional instability)
• Persistent feelings of shame, guilt or worthlessness (also: Persistent feelings of shame, guilt or worthlessness, feeling of shame or guilt, feeling of shame, sense of guilt, emotional shame)
• Negative self-image (also: Negative self-image (sense of permanent damage or difference), Negative self-image – sense of permanent damage or difference, excessive guilt or worthlessness, intense guilt, excessive guilt)
• Difficulties in social relationships (also: Difficulties in building and maintaining close relationships, Difficulties in building and maintaining close relationships, difficulties maintaining relationships, relationship problems, difficulties in partnerships)
• Persistent sense of threat despite trauma having ended (also: Persistent sense of threat despite trauma having ended, sense of lasting threat, persistent sense of danger, lasting apprehension, constant fear)
• Prolonged or repeated trauma (also: Prolonged or repeated trauma (e.g. captivity, domestic violence, torture), prolonged trauma, cumulative injuries, chronic domestic violence, torture in history)
• Impaired social/occupational functioning (also: Prolonged changes in social, occupational, family functioning, persistent deterioration of functioning, limitation of life activities, long-term occupational difficulties, change of lifestyle after trauma)

ICD-11 diagnostic criteria

• spełnienie kryteriów PTSD
• trudności w regulacji emocji
• negatywny obraz siebie
• trudności w relacjach interpersonalnych
• znaczne pogorszenie funkcjonowania

How to recognise

In the ICD-11 framework, the core symptoms taken into account when recognising Complex post-traumatic stress disorder are:

• intruzje
• flashbacki

Differential diagnosis

When diagnosing Complex post-traumatic stress disorder, the following ICD-11 disorders should be considered in the differential diagnosis:

• Zespół stresu pourazowego (6B40)
• Zaburzenie adaptacyjne (6B43)

Synonyms and related terms

Re-experiencing trauma – intrusive memories, flashbacks, intrusions, intrusive memories, intrusive thoughts about event, intrusive thoughts, recurring memories, unwanted memories, thoughts return on their own, images from the past keep returning, cannot stop thinking about it, it comes back to me, memories appear on their own, have intrusive images, constantly relive it in my mind, intrusive trauma memories, traumatic flashbacks, reminiscences, recurring trauma memories, Flashbacks – re-experiencing trauma as if happening now, Flashbacks – trauma replayed as if it were the present, flashbacks, recurring episodes of reliving trauma, re-experiencing event, as if it is happening again, I feel like it is happening again, I see it as if live, I feel like I went back there, relive it once more, images are very realistic, have episodes of returning to the event

Frequently asked questions

What are the symptoms of Complex post-traumatic stress disorder?

Symptoms associated with Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (ICD-11 6B41) include: Re-experiencing trauma (intrusive memories), Traumatic flashbacks, Difficulties with emotion regulation, Persistent feelings of shame, guilt or worthlessness, Negative self-image, Difficulties in social relationships, Persistent sense of threat despite trauma having ended, Prolonged or repeated trauma, Impaired social/occupational functioning.

How is Complex post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosed according to ICD-11?

According to ICD-11, the diagnostic criteria for Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (6B41) include: spełnienie kryteriów PTSD; trudności w regulacji emocji; negatywny obraz siebie; trudności w relacjach interpersonalnych; znaczne pogorszenie funkcjonowania.

What disorders are in the differential diagnosis of Complex post-traumatic stress disorder?

The differential diagnosis of Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (6B41) includes: Zespół stresu pourazowego (6B40), Zaburzenie adaptacyjne (6B43).

WHO ICD-11 source

View this entry in the official WHO ICD-11 browser: 6B41 – WHO ICD-11