The Association of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression: A Network...

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Network Analysis

Background:

• Complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) is recognized in ICD-11, featuring PTSD symptoms and disturbances in self-organization (DSO).
• Comorbidity between CPTSD and depression is known, but network analysis of CPTSD is less explored.
• Network analysis offers a novel method to examine intricate symptom relationships.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate bridge symptoms connecting PTSD, DSO, and depression.
• To identify influential symptoms within a network model of CPTSD and depression.

Main Methods:

• Utilized network analysis on data from 385 US participants.
• Participants completed the ICD-11 International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).

Main Results:

• Network models were stable, revealing central symptoms like 'Feeling distant', 'Feeling down', and 'Feeling like a failure'.
• Key bridge symptoms included 'Negative self-concept', 'Feeling like a failure', and interpersonal difficulties ('Finding it hard to stay emotionally close to people').

Conclusions:

• Specific symptoms significantly influence the network, linking PTSD and depression.
• Affective, identity, and interpersonal DSO symptoms are crucial in connecting CPTSD and depression.
• These identified symptoms represent potential targets for therapeutic interventions.