Diagnosis and management of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD)

Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) is a new diagnosis in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 11.1 It is not currently recognised in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) 5.2 Caused by recurrent, chronic, or sustained trauma, C-PTSD has the clinical features of PTSD and symptoms that reflect the prolonged impact of sustained trauma on self-organisation, encompassing affect regulation, negative self-concept, and difficulties sustaining interpersonal relationships. Here we explain what C-PTSD is, how to recognise it, and the fundamentals of management, acknowledging that the evidence base continues to grow and evolve.