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Complex PTSD

A Syndrome in Survivors of Prolonged and Repeated Trauma

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Psychotraumatology

Part of the book series: The Springer Series on Stress and Coping ((SSSO))

Abstract

The current diagnostic formulation of PTSD derives primarily from observations of survivors of relatively circumscribed traumatic events: combat, disaster, and rape. It has been suggested that this formulation fails to capture the protean sequelae of prolonged, repeated trauma. In contrast to the circumscribed traumatic event, prolonged, repeated trauma can occur only where the victim is in a state of captivity, unable to flee, and under the control of the perpetrator. Examples of such conditions include prisons, concentration camps, and slave labor camps. Such conditions also exist in some religious cults, in brothels and other institutions of organized sexual exploitation, and in some families.

Reprinted from Journal of Traumatic Stress, Vol. 5, No. 3, 1992.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 61 Roseland Street, Somerville, Massachusetts, 02143, USA

    Judith Lewis Herman

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  1. Judith Lewis Herman
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, 21242, Ellicott City, Maryland, USA

    George S. Everly Jr.

  2. Union Memorial Hospital, 21218, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    George S. Everly Jr.

  3. Department of Psychology, Loyola College, 21210, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    George S. Everly Jr.

  4. Division of Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, Union Memorial Hospital, 21218, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    Jeffrey M. Lating

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Herman, J.L. (1995). Complex PTSD. In: Everly, G.S., Lating, J.M. (eds) Psychotraumatology. The Springer Series on Stress and Coping. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1034-9_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1034-9_6

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