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Navigating the complexities of post-traumatic stress disorder and its variants

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2024

David Trickey Open the ORCID record for David Trickey [Opens in a new window]
David Trickey*
Affiliation:
Consultant clinical psychologist at the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families (London, UK) who has specialised in working with traumatised children, young people and families for more than 20 years. He leads a multidisciplinary National Health Service (NHS) team working with children and young people in care, and is co-director of the UK Trauma Council.
*
Correspondence David Trickey. Email: [email protected]
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Summary

In this issue of BJPsych Advances Siddaway explores the challenges of assessing and treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD. In this commentary I reflect on those challenges, not least of which is the need for a thorough understanding of different approaches to diagnoses. The very concept of diagnostic classification systems can be problematic, but when used sensitively they can aid communication, assessment and treatment. The relatively new diagnosis of complex PTSD may serve as a more accurate and more useful description of some psychological difficulties, leading to better treatment decisions. Good assessment, leading to accurate diagnosis, useful formulation and effective treatment takes time, and adequate resources should be allocated. Professionals can help patients to make well-informed choices about treatment options and they should offer evidence-based treatments without unnecessary delay.

Keywords

Post-traumatic stress disordercomplex post-traumatic stress disorderassessmentdiagnosistherapy
Type
Commentary
Information
BJPsych Advances , First View , pp. 1 - 3
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Royal College of Psychiatrists

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Footnotes

Commentary on… Assessment and diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorders (PTSDs) for medico-legal and other clinical purposes: DSM-5-TR PTSD, ICD-11 PTSD and ICD-11 complex PTSD. See this issue.

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