Complex PTSD symptoms mediate the association between childhood trauma and physical health problems

The ICD-11 reconceptualized Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a narrowly defined fear-based disorder, and introduced Complex PTSD (CPTSD) new diagnosis comprised of symptoms ‘Disturbances in Self-Organization’ (DSO) that are more reflective general dysphoria. Previous research suggests mediate the association between childhood trauma physical health problems, including cardiovascular disease. No study has yet assessed how posttraumatic stress symptoms, outlined ICD-11, influence somatic problems adulthood. This cross-sectional descriptive examined whether DSO mediated associations sexual abuse emotional neglect diseases (CVD) load General adult population samples from Ireland (N = 1020) United Kingdom 1051) completed self-report questionnaires online. Structural equation modelling results indicated fully both forms but not CVD load. Psychological interventions effectively treat CPTSD may have added benefit reducing risk problems.