What is PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)?

As per DSM-5, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that develops in relation to an event which creates psychological trauma in response to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violation. The exposure must involve directly experiencing the event, witnessing the event in person, learning of an actual or threatened death of a close family member or friend, or repeated first-hand, extreme exposure to the details of the event. Traumas experienced may involve war, natural disasters, car accidents, sexual abuse and/or domestic violence. A formal diagnosis of PTSD is made when the symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social and/or occupational dysfunction for a period of at least one month. The symptoms cannot be due to a medical condition, medication, or drugs or alcohol.

How to Diagnose PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)?

What follows is a summary of diagnostic criteria A through H for PTSD in adults, adolescents, and children older than 6 years old. All criteria are required for a diagnosis of PTSD to be made:

Criterion A: Exposure to death, threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence in one (or more) of the following way(s):

Direct experience of the trauma

Witnessing firsthand the trauma

Learning a relative or close friend was exposed to a trauma

Repeated or extreme exposure to aversive details of trauma, typically experienced by first responders, medics, police officers, etc.

Criterion B: Presence of one (or more) intrusive symptoms associated with the traumatic event(s) after the event(s) occurred:

Recurrent distressing memories

Recurring nightmares

Flashbacks, or disassociative reactions in which the person feels the trauma repeating

Intense or prolonged psychological distress in the face of reminders

Physical reactions in the face of reminders

Criterion C: Avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma, as evidence by one or more of the following:

Avoidance of distressing memories and thoughts about the trauma

Avoidance of distressing external reminders of the trauma, like people, places, conversations, and activities

Criterion D: Negative alterations to mood and cognition, as evidenced by two (or more) of the following:

Inability to remember important aspects of the trauma

Exaggerated negative thoughts about oneself, others, or the world

Blaming oneself or others for the trauma

Persistence negative emotional state, like fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame

Diminished interest in activities

Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others

Inability to experience positive emotions

Criterion E: Alterations in arousal and reactivity, as evidenced by two or more of the following:

Irritability and angry outbursts with little or no provocation

Reckless and self-destructive behavior

Hypervigilance

Exaggerated startle response

Problems with concentration

Difficulty sleeping

Criterion F: Duration of the disturbance is more than 1 month.

Criterion G: The disturbance causes significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, and other important areas of functioning.

Treatment for PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Post-traumatic stress disorder treatment can help you regain a sense of control over your life. The primary treatment is psychotherapy, but can also include medication. Combining these treatments can help improve your symptoms by:

Teaching you skills to address your symptoms

Helping you think better about yourself, others and the world

Learning ways to cope if any symptoms arise again

Treating other problems often related to traumatic experiences, such as depression, anxiety, or misuse of alcohol or drugs

You don't have to try to handle the burden of PTSD on your own.