title: [Diagnostic and clinical aspects of complex post-traumatic stress disorder].
abstract: The symptomatology of patients suffering in the aftermath of severe and prolonged traumatization is not entirely covered by the diagnostic criteria of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Consequently, the concept of complex PTSD was proposed, including symptoms of affective dysregulation, dissociation and somatization, alterations in self-perception, altered relationships with others, and altered systems of meaning. Thereby, a variety of symptoms usually classified as co-morbid disorders are combined in a single etiological model. The whole symptomatology is considered as more or less effective adaptation strategies and not primarily as deficits. This understand-ing of the underlying etiology in subjects with complex traumatization opens perspectives for new psychotherapeutic treatment strategies which have already shown effectiveness in daily practice.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover. sack.martin@mh-hannover.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sack
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010346:Patient Care Management / Q000379:methods*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*