Trauma psychology transformed: Professor Philip Hyland reshapes global understanding of PTSD diagnosis

(Press-News.org) DUBLIN, IRELAND, 5 August 2025 -- In a revealing Genomic Press Interview published today in Brain Medicine, Professor Philip Hyland describes his extraordinary journey from personal struggles with anxiety to becoming one of the world's foremost authorities on posttraumatic stress disorders. The interview illuminates how his groundbreaking research on Complex PTSD fundamentally changed World Health Organization diagnostic criteria, directly impacting how clinicians worldwide assess and treat trauma survivors.

From Personal Crisis to Scientific Revolution

Professor Hyland's path to scientific prominence began unexpectedly during what he describes as a "tough time personally" in his late teens and early twenties. Despite experiencing none of the typical risk factors for mental health problems, he found himself profoundly anxious, depressed, and unhappy. This personal crisis became the catalyst for a career that would reshape global understanding of trauma psychology.

"I was lucky enough to want to figure out what was wrong with me, to understand why I had become so unhappy," Professor Hyland reveals in the interview. This drive for understanding led him to psychology, where he discovered that science could be applied to understanding how people think and feel. His fascination with the human mind, combined with his admission that "you did not have to be brilliant at maths to be a psychologist," steered him away from his childhood interests in physics and astronomy toward a field where he would make unprecedented contributions.

Challenging Clinical Orthodoxy

Perhaps most controversially, Professor Hyland champions what many in his field consider heretical: prioritizing self-report measures over clinician judgments when assessing psychological symptoms. "I have an idea that most people in my field think is crazy," he states, "which is that if you want to know what a person is experiencing, it is better to rely on a self-report from that person than on a clinician's judgement of what that person is experiencing."

This revolutionary stance challenges decades of clinical tradition and has positioned Professor Hyland at the forefront of developing innovative measurement tools. His International Trauma Questionnaire, now used globally, exemplifies this patient-centered approach to psychological assessment. The tool's widespread adoption demonstrates how challenging conventional wisdom can lead to practical improvements in clinical practice.

Expanding Boundaries of Grief Research

Professor Hyland's recent expansion into grief research showcases his commitment to addressing overlooked aspects of human suffering. His latest work validates that people can develop prolonged grief disorder following the death of a pet, despite current diagnostic manuals not recognizing this possibility. "That irritated me, so I had to do some work on it," he explains, demonstrating his characteristic drive to challenge limitations in current psychological understanding.

This willingness to explore unconventional territories extends to his co-leadership of Ireland's first major sexual violence prevalence study since 2002, addressing critical societal issues through rigorous scientific methodology. Such work illustrates how Professor Hyland combines scientific excellence with social responsibility, using research to illuminate pressing public health concerns.

The Science of Serendipity

Throughout the interview, Professor Hyland attributes much of his success to "extraordinary good luck," describing his career trajectory as "winning the lottery over and over and over again." From his fortuitous pairing with supervisor Professor Mark Shevlin, whom he calls "the most intelligent and nicest person I have ever met," to his current position at Maynooth University, he emphasizes the role of chance encounters and supportive colleagues.

Yet this modesty belies the systematic excellence of his work. With 19,898 citations across more than 340 publications and recognition including the 2023 Early Career Achievement Award at Maynooth University, Professor Hyland's impact stems from rigorous methodology and innovative thinking rather than mere fortune. His role as Deputy Statistical Editor for the Journal of Traumatic Stress and Chair of the International Trauma Consortium further demonstrates his field's recognition of his expertise.

Pursuit of Truth Above All

When asked about his goals, Professor Hyland's response reflects his fundamental commitment to scientific integrity: "I never think about that. I do the work that interests me and that is important. I do it and I write it up. I never expect my work to have any impact, or even to be read by anyone." This dedication to truth over recognition aligns with his concerns about the influence of identity politics and social activism on science.

"I am concerned about the influence of identity politics and social activism on science," he states. "It is so important that people trust science (with a healthy degree of scepticism, of course) and trust the process of science that gives us the best understanding we have of the way the world is." His commitment to maintaining scientific objectivity while addressing deeply personal human experiences like trauma and grief exemplifies the balance required in psychological research.

Looking forward, Professor Hyland continues developing theoretical models of Complex PTSD while pioneering new measurement approaches that could transform how psychological symptoms are assessed globally. His work serves as a blueprint for how personal experience, combined with rigorous scientific methodology, can lead to discoveries that improve countless lives. This approach exemplifies the type of transformative scientific discourse found across Genomic Press's portfolio of open-access journals (https://genomicpress.kglmeridian.com/).

Dr. Philip Hyland's Genomic Press interview is part of a larger series called Innovators & Ideas that highlights the people behind today's most influential scientific breakthroughs. Each interview in the series offers a blend of cutting-edge research and personal reflections, providing readers with a comprehensive view of the scientists shaping the future. By combining a focus on professional achievements with personal insights, this interview style invites a richer narrative that both engages and educates readers. This format provides an ideal starting point for profiles that explore the scientist's impact on the field, while also touching on broader human themes. More information on the research leaders and rising stars featured in our Innovators & Ideas -- Genomic Press Interview series can be found in our publications website: https://genomicpress.kglmeridian.com/.

The Genomic Press Interview in Brain Medicine titled "Philip Hyland: Human responses to extreme stress and trauma," is freely available via Open Access on 5 August 2025 in Brain Medicine at the following hyperlink: https://doi.org/10.61373/bm025k.0095.

About Brain Medicine: Brain Medicine (ISSN: 2997-2639, online and 2997-2647, print) is a peer-reviewed medical research journal published by Genomic Press, New York. Brain Medicine is a new home for the cross-disciplinary pathway from innovation in fundamental neuroscience to translational initiatives in brain medicine. The journal's scope includes the underlying science, causes, outcomes, treatments, and societal impact of brain disorders, across all clinical disciplines and their interface.

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