Combat Stress and Edinburgh Napier University to pilot new Complex PTSD treatment programme

Combat Stress and Edinburgh Napier University have received £304,494 to conduct a joint pilot study on a new treatment programme for veterans with Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD).

It comes after research by Combat Stress and the university showed veterans are more likely to develop CPTSD than Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Of those veterans who met the criteria for either condition, 57% reported symptoms of CPTSD, compared to 14% for PTSD.

Veterans with CPTSD experience many of the main symptoms of PTSD, including difficulty in regulating emotions, feeling negatively about themselves, and problems relating to others. Several factors increase the likelihood of having the condition, including a history of childhood trauma and experience of a combat role.

The research found that veterans with CPTSD take longer to seek professional and medical support compared to those with PTSD. Barriers to help-seeking include stigma, feeling unworthy of treatment, and concerns about confidentiality being maintained.

The research suggests that both conditions be routinely screened to increase early detection and appropriate support given and that health care professionals be aware of the specialist veteran health services in their area so they can refer those with CPTSD.

Dr Dominic Murphy, Head of Research at Combat Stress, said:

“Our data supports what we see clinically, namely that help-seeking veterans are more likely to be presenting with more complex symptoms of PTSD, often alongside a range of other difficulties. This piece of research has helped us better understand the needs of this vulnerable group and we hope will provide a stepping-stone to developing interventions to better meet their needs.”

The research, published today, was funded by the Forces in Mind Trust which is also funding the pilot study. This project is delayed due to COVID-19 and will commence in January 2021. It is expected to last 28 months.

You can read the research report here.