Background: Complex PTSD (CPTSD) has been included as a diagnostic category in the ICD-11 consisting of six symptom clusters; the three PTSD criteria of Re-experiencing, Avoidance, and Hypervigilance, in addition to three Disturbances of Self-Organisation (DSO) symptoms defined as Emotional Dysregulation, Interpersonal Difficulties, and Negative Self-Concept. As Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) shares similar features to DSO presentations and is commonly associated with PTSD, there is debate as to whether and how CPTSD is distinct from PTSD comorbid with BPD. Aim: To identify groups with distinct profiles of self-reported CPTSD and BPD symptoms and associated trauma history characteristics. Method: A Latent Class Analysis (LCA) using CPTSD and BPD symptom variables was conducted on a sample of 195 treatment-seeking adults at a specialist trauma service. The classes were then compared on demographic and clinical characteristics using a series of ANOVA and chi-square tests. Results: The LCA determined three distinct classes; a CPTSD/High BPD class characterised by high symptom endorsement across both conditions; a CPTSD/Moderate BPD class characterised by high PTSD and DSO symptom endorsement and moderate BPD; and a PTSD/Low BPD class characterised by PTSD symptoms and low DSO and BPD symptom endorsement. The two CPTSD classes were associated with greater exposure to multiple, interpersonal traumas earlier in life and exhibited higher functional impairment. Conclusions: Findings support the construct of a CPTSD diagnosis as a separate entity although BPD features seem to overlap greatly with CPTSD symptoms in this highly traumatised clinical sample.

EMDR is a safe and acceptable intervention for people with intellectual disabilities, and there is now sufficient evidence to conduct a randomized control trial to establish its effectiveness for DSM-5 PTSD in this population group. (PsycINFO Database Record

Considering the high prevalence of traumatic events and how common the conditions associated with such events are in the general population, screening for adverse life events as part of comprehensive assessment will allow a deeper understanding of patients' needs.

BackgroundAlthough the association between psychological trauma and early maladaptive schemas (EMS) is well established in the literature, no study to date has examined the relationship of EMS to PTSD and psychopathologies beyond depression and anxiety in a sample of adult survivors of interpersonal trauma. This information may be useful in helping our understanding on how to best treat interpersonal trauma.ObjectiveWe set out to investigate the association between EMS and common forms of psychopathology in a sample of women with a history of interpersonal trauma (n=82). We have hypothesised that survivors of interpersonal trauma will present with elevated EMS scores compared to a non-clinical control group (n=78). We have also hypothesised that unique schemas will be associated with unique psychopathological entities and that subgroups of interpersonal trauma survivors would be present in our sample, with subgroups displaying different profiles of schema severity elevations.MethodParticipants completed measures of trauma, psychopathology, dissociation, self-esteem, and the Young Schema Questionnaire.ResultsIt was found that survivors of interpersonal trauma displayed elevated EMS scores across all 15 schemas compared to controls. Although the pattern of associations between different psychopathological features and schemas appears to be rather complex, schemas in the domains of Disconnection and Impaired Autonomy formed significant associations with all psychopathological features in this study.ConclusionsOur findings support the usefulness of cognitive behavioural interventions that target schemas in the domains of Disconnection and Impaired Autonomy in an effort to modify existing core beliefs and decrease subsequent symptomatology in adult survivors of interpersonal trauma.Highlights of the articleInterpersonal trauma survivors are distinguished primarily by a generalised elevation of their maladaptive schemas, rather than a unique schema profile comprised of specific schemas.A strong profile was formed in the domains of 'Disconnection' and 'Impaired Autonomy', where both presented with strong associations with psychopathological entities.CBT interventions should target schemas such as 'Vulnerable to Harm', to alleviate mental health distress in people with interpersonal trauma.

Women who have experienced multiple traumatic events may be more likely to commit serious offences, so it is very important to assess and meet their trauma-related needs. While prisons should never be used as substitutes for healthcare facilities, when women or girls are sent to prison, the opportunity for constructive interventions must be seized. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.