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Diagnosis

A diagnosis of PTSD requires exposure to an upsetting traumatic event. However, exposure could be indirect rather than first hand. For example, PTSD could occur as a result of repeated exposure to horrible details of trauma such as police officers exposed to details of child abuse cases.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), per the American Psychiatric Association states the critera to be diagnosed with PTSD as:

Self Diagnosis

Self Diagnosis

This information is not designed for self diagnosis. Refer to the information provided and if you believe that you are fulfilling the criteria, immediately seek clinical assistance.

CRITERION H

(Required for diagnosis) Symptoms are not due to medication, substance use, or other illness. Two specifications: Dissociative Specification. In addition to meeting criteria for diagnosis, an individual experiences high levels of either of the following in reaction to trauma-related stimuli: Depersonalization. Experience of being an outside observer of or detached from oneself (e.g., feeling as if "this is not happening to me" or one were in a dream). Derealization. Experi…

CRITERION G

(Required for diagnosis) Symptoms create distress or functional impairment (e.g., social, occupational).

CRITERION F

(Required for diagnosis) Symptoms last for more than 1 month.

CRITERION E

(Two required for diagnosis) The person was exposed to: death, threatened death, actual or threatened serious injury, or actual or threatened sexual violence, in the following way(s): Direct exposure Witnessing the trauma Learning that a relative or close friend was exposed to a trauma Indirect exposure to aversive details of the trauma, usually in the course of professional duties (e.g., first responders, medics)

CRITERION D

(One required for diagnosis) Negative thoughts or feelings that began or worsened after the trauma, in the following way(s): Inability to recall key features of the trauma Overly negative thoughts and assumptions about oneself or the world Exaggerated blame of self or others for causing the trauma Negative affect Decreased interest in activities Feeling isolated Difficulty experiencing positive affect

CRITERION C

(One required for diagnosis) Avoidance of trauma-related stimuli after the trauma, in the following way(s): Trauma-related thoughts or feelings Trauma-related reminders

CRITERION B

(One required for diagnosis) The traumatic event is persistently re-experienced, in the following way(s): Unwanted upsetting memories Nightmares Flashbacks Emotional distress after exposure to traumatic reminders Physical reactivity after exposure to traumatic reminders

CRITERION A

(One required for diagnosis) The person was exposed to: death, threatened death, actual or threatened serious injury, or actual or threatened sexual violence, in the following way(s): Direct exposure Witnessing the trauma Learning that a relative or close friend was exposed to a trauma Indirect exposure to aversive details of the trauma, usually in the course of professional duties (e.g., first responders, medics)