COMPLEX POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER: A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Purpose: Complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) is a clinical syndrome associated with chronic and repeated trauma. Its diagnosis requires the core symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), associated with a set of symptoms referring to affective dysregulation, negative self-concept and relationship problems. We present a case of a woman with CPTSD who was referred to psychiatric day hospital. Case Description: The patient was victim of long-term violence by her ex-husband and presented depressive and anxious symptoms, such as frequent complaints of nightmares and startle response to small stimuli as well as hypervigilance. Due to lack of clinical response after a psychopharmacological and psychotherapeutic approach, she was referred to psychiatric day hospital with the diagnosis of depressive disorder and borderline personality disorder (BPD). In day hospital, the maintenance of nightmares was verified, as well as the avoidance of situations of possible encounter with her ex-husband, verbalizations of guilt, uselessness and poor personal value, self-harming behaviors and inability to initiate relationships. Conclusions: The need for greater exposure of CPTSD to mental health professionals needs to be highlighted in order to improve its diagnosis and its distinction from other disorders, such as BPD, so proper treatment can be provided.