Complex psychological trauma

Abstract

Complex psychological trauma is more complicated and pervasive than the isolated traumatic event, occurring mainly in vulnerable periods resulting in severe compromise of childhood development. It causes increased activation of the survival-focused brain leading to alterations in brain structure and function. It has an impact on behavioral, biological, and cognitive domains resulting in sequelae of complex trauma exposure. The assessment of complex trauma is demanding as the clinician is required to be patient, transparent, noncoercive, and corroborative in approach. The management depends on a good therapist-client alliance, appropriate evidence-based treatment models and emerging pharmacotherapy for treatment as well as prevention.

Keywords

• complex psychological trauma
• complex posttraumatic stress disorder
• complex trauma