• WHO ICD-11 Complex PTSD

    Complex PTSD has been the subject of much debate in mental health sector since it was first identified by Dr. Judith Herman in the 1990’s. It was finally accepted as an official diagnosis in 2018, in large part due to the preponderance of evidence- based research included in this bibliography. Complex PTSD is now included in the 11th edition of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) (published 2022). The WHO ICD is one of two main diagnostic manuals used around the world by mental health and medical professionals. The other is the American Psychiatric Organization’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (APA DSM). Complex PTSD has not yet been included in DSM.

  • Physical Comorbidities

    The research included in this bibliography indicates that ongoing relational trauma, particularly in childhood, affects a number of physical systems (e.g., cardiovascular/circulatory, endocrine, autoimmune), resulting to an array of serious, often life-threatening comorbid medical conditions in survivors (e.g., cancer, diabetes, cardiac and inflammatory diseases, sleep disorders). In 2019 the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed in a report that childhood trauma causes major health problems and is a serious public health issue.

  • Psychosocial Comorbidities

  • Assessment & Treatment

  • Patient-Oriented Research (POR)

    Patient-Oriented Research (POR) refers to studies that include patients as partners rather than as subjects. Patients are engaged throughout the research process, contributing to the formulation of research questions, study design, and dissemination of results. The reason for this newer approach to healthcare research is that patients bring valuable expertise through their lived experience, resulting in research that is more relevant, respectful, and practical. Decision-making is shared among patients, researchers, and other team members and addresses real-world challenges encountered in healthcare systems.

    Out of the Storm has been involved in various POR activities as a way of contributing to the knowledge base about complex relational trauma (CRT) and complex PTSD (CPTSD). This ensures our voices are heard and acknowledged by researchers, clinicians and other stakeholders.

    We encourage CRT survivors to engage in POR and have included a number of links to articles, websites and videos about this approach to research. Make your voices heard!

    Articles

    Websites

    Videos