Daniela Haertel*, Paula Oliveira Silva, Silvia Helena Modenesi Pucci
Trauma results from an emotionally intense experience and may cause lasting psychological disorders, Including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The complexity of PTSD has led to the recognition of a more severe form, Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD), which is associated with recurrent interpersonal trauma and Disturbances in Self Organization (DSO). The lack of consensus on diagnostic criteria between the DSM-5 and ICD-11 has created confusion regarding the accurate diagnosis of PTSD and CPTSD. This issue impacts scientific discussion, precise diagnosis, and treatment approaches. A primary distinction between PTSD and CPTSD is the presence of symptoms related to DSO and repeated interpersonal trauma. This study explored Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) interventions for patients with CPTSD. An integrative literature review was conducted using the PICO strategy across the most prominent health databases. The results yielded only twenty articles with varied methodological approaches. In terms of treatment, the most frequently referenced approach was trauma-focused CBT, often in combination with other therapeutic strategies. However, scientific literature suggests that additional strategies are necessary to address the specific needs of CPTSD treatment, mainly to encompass DSO symptoms. This study revealed the scarcity of research on CBT strategies for patients with CPTSD in specialized peer-reviewed journals within the most prominent health databases. Achieving consensus on both the concept and diagnostic criteria of CPTSD is essential to advance scientific understanding of effective treatment methods and to prevent under diagnosis, which impedes effective care for patients worldwide, many of whom are in highly vulnerable conditions due to interpersonal trauma.
Published Date: 2024-12-11; Received Date: 2024-11-13
