CPTSD: Neurobiology, Relationships, and Pete Walker's 13 Steps

This article provides a comprehensive compendium of knowledge about complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). The author outlines the diagnostic differences between standard PTSD and relational trauma, drawing on the ICD-11 and DSM-5 classifications. A key element of the text is an analysis of neurobiological defense mechanisms, such as the 4F model (fight, flight, freeze, appease) and polyvagal theory. Readers will learn Pete Walker's practical 13-step protocol, which helps manage emotional flashbacks and quiet the Inner Critic. The text also emphasizes the importance of the grieving process as a metabolic regeneration of the psyche, leading to the integration of experiences and the restoration of emotional balance.