Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsDiagnosisCausesTypesTreatmentCoping

Table of ContentsView All

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Table of Contents

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Causes

Types

Treatment

Coping

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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder involving extreme distress and disruption of daily living that happens after exposure to a traumatic event.About 6% of the U.S. population will experience PTSD during their lives.

To diagnose PTSD, a mental health professional references theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)and evaluates whether or not the patient meets the criteria. The criteria in the fifth edition are somewhat different than the criteria in the fourth edition.

Symptoms of PTSD

The DSM-5 divides PTSD symptoms into four categories:

These symptoms are associated with a traumatic event. Each of the four categories includes a group of related symptoms.

Intrusion

These symptoms are related to intrusive thoughts and memories of the traumatic event.

Avoidance

People with PTSD may avoid people, places, conversations, activities, objects, or situations that bring up memories of the event. They may also avoid thoughts, feelings, or physical sensations that recall the event.

Negative Changes in Thoughts and Mood

People with PTSD may experience a pervasive negative emotional state (for example, shame, anger, or fear). Other symptoms in this category include:

Changes in Arousal and Reactivity

People with PTSD often feel constantly “on guard” or like danger is lurking around every corner (also known ashypervigilance). Related symptoms include:

Coping With Symptoms After a Traumatic Experience

Diagnosis of PTSD

The first criteria for adiagnosis of PTSDlisted in the DSM-5 is exposure to one or more traumatic event(s), which is defined as one that involved death or threatened death, actual or threatened serious injury, or actual or threatened sexual violence.

Experiencing the event could be direct, but it doesn’t have to be. Exposure could also occur indirectly, such as:

Once the exposure has occurred, PTSD symptoms are evaluated for a diagnosis.

DSM-5 PTSD DiagnosisIn order to be diagnosed with PTSD, the following criteria should be met:Exposure to the traumatic eventOne (or more) intrusion symptom(s)One (or more) symptom(s) of avoidanceTwo (or more) symptoms of negative changes in feelings and moodTwo (or more) symptoms of changes in arousal or reactivityThese symptoms also must:Last for longer than one monthBring about considerable distress and/or interfere greatly with a number of different areas of lifeNot be due to a medical condition or substance use

DSM-5 PTSD Diagnosis

In order to be diagnosed with PTSD, the following criteria should be met:Exposure to the traumatic eventOne (or more) intrusion symptom(s)One (or more) symptom(s) of avoidanceTwo (or more) symptoms of negative changes in feelings and moodTwo (or more) symptoms of changes in arousal or reactivityThese symptoms also must:Last for longer than one monthBring about considerable distress and/or interfere greatly with a number of different areas of lifeNot be due to a medical condition or substance use

In order to be diagnosed with PTSD, the following criteria should be met:

These symptoms also must:

Changes in the DSM-5

The biggest change in the DSM-5 is removing PTSD from the category ofanxiety disordersand putting it in a classification called “Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders.”

Other key changes include:

Other risk factors include:

Causes and Risk Factors of PTSD

Types of PTSD

There are different types of PTSD, including:

Acute stress disorderis related to PTSD. While it shares some symptoms, a PTSD diagnosis requires symptoms are present for more than a month, whereas someone with acute stress disorder could experience symptoms for just three days to one month.

Acute and chronic PTSD are no longer used in the DSM-5. Acute referred to PTSD symptoms lasting less than three months and chronic referred to symptoms lasting more than three months.

Treatment for PTSD can involve medication, psychotherapy, or both. Consult amental health professionalto find the best treatment for you.

Medication

Antidepressants, specificallyselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs), are typically considered the first-line medication option to treat PTSD. These can help someone with PTSD with mood, anxiety, eating, and sleep.

Zoloft (sertraline)andPaxil (paroxetine)are FDA-approved to treat PTSD.Other drugs that have been shown to be effective for PTSD includeProzac (fluoxetine)as well asEffexor XR (venlafaxine), which is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).In addition, there are other medications that may be used to treat PTSD. Be sure to discuss your options with your healthcare provider.

Depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Psychotherapy

PTSD gets in the way of everyday life, and it’s important to take good care of yourself to manage it. Theseways to copeare known to be effective.

If you or a loved one are struggling with PTSD, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with PTSD, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

18 Effective Stress Relief Strategies

18 Sources

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