For this reason, people who have experienced complex trauma may display symptoms including poor concentration, poor attention and poor decision-making and judgement. They may also appear highly reactive and respond to threat even if it is not present. Their behaviour may be aggressive in response, or they may take flight or simply freeze. In this way, complex trauma translates into a range of social, emotional, behavioural and interpersonal difficulties that can be life-long. The associated personal, social and economic costs are high. Despite increased awareness in the area, complex trauma cannot be formally diagnosed. It is not a diagnostic category in the recently revised Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). There are no clear estimates of its prevalence in the community. When someone who has experienced this sort of trauma tries to find help, or when they get into trouble of some sort and are required to get help as a result, the effectiveness of treatment is likely to have a lot to do with the way psychologists or psychiatrists assess the person. If someone presents to a mental health setting for help and is accurately diagnosed as having attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the treatment options are pretty clear. But if that person has experienced complex trauma and the assessment does not recognise this, then simply treating for ADHD may well not be effective. The person’s ability to comply with treatment or medication may be limited, and other important characteristics such as associated developmental and mental health concerns may be present but overlooked. uts.edu.au/about/graduate-school-health/news/complex-trauma-how-abuse-and-neglect-can-have-life-long-effects
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 19:28:18 +0000
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