Fig. 1

A diagnostic model for the spectrum of trauma-related disorders and personality disorders. This two-dimensional diagnostic model accounts for the influence of trauma and neglect on the development of (a spectrum of) trauma-related disorders as well as personality disorders. The severity of trauma (based on factors such as the age of onset, how frequently it occurred, the relationship to the perpetrator, and the number of perpetrators) endured, situated on the y-axis, is assumed to be related to the severity of trauma-related disorders. Situated on the x-axis, the severity of emotional neglect (the quality of the early bond with the primary caregivers) represents the second dimension. This dimension is assumed to be related to the severity of personality disorders. The numbers (0–5) on the y-axis and the x-axis represent the severity scores on both dimensions, which ranges from no trauma or emotional neglect endured (score 0) to very severe trauma or emotional neglect (score 5). Individual patients can be ‘located’ somewhere in the two-dimensional square