Differentiating Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Using the...

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Trauma Studies

Background:

• Complex posttraumatic stress disorder (cPTSD) diagnosis is debated, with core posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms plus disturbances in self-organization (DSO).
• Understanding the unique interpersonal characteristics of cPTSD is crucial for diagnostic clarity and effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the interpersonal characteristics of PTSD, cPTSD (DSO), borderline personality disorder (BPD), and level of personality functioning (LPFS) using the interpersonal circumplex model.
• To determine if DSO is a distinct interpersonal construct separate from PTSD and BPD.

Main Methods:

• A sample of 554 trauma-exposed adults completed self-report measures for PTSD, DSO, BPD, LPFS, and interpersonal functioning.
• Interpersonal circumplex analysis was used to assess problems and values surfaces.

Main Results:

• PTSD and BPD symptoms shared cold-dominant interpersonal problems and cold values, with BPD exhibiting higher distress.
• DSO and LPFS symptoms displayed cold-submissive problems and cold/cold-submissive values.
• DSO was associated with significantly higher distress than PTSD but lower distress than BPD, supporting its distinctiveness.

Conclusions:

• Disturbances in self-organization (DSO) represent a distinct interpersonal construct from PTSD and BPD.
• There is significant overlap in interpersonal characteristics between DSO and level of personality functioning (LPFS).
• Findings support the diagnostic validity of cPTSD and suggest dimensional personality assessment can aid differential diagnosis and trauma interventions.