Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDSM-5 Criteria for PTSDChanges in Diagnostic CriteriaOther Diagnostic ToolsPTSD vs. StressWhen to See a ProfessionalRelated ConditionsNext in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder GuideCauses and Risk Factors of PTSD
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
DSM-5 Criteria for PTSD
Changes in Diagnostic Criteria
Other Diagnostic Tools
PTSD vs. Stress
When to See a Professional
Related Conditions
Next in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Guide
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Post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD) occursafter a traumatic eventand interferes with a person’s ability to function. You may wonder if you or someone you care about has PTSD, and whether you need to get professional help. If you are experiencing symptoms of PTSD, it is important to see a doctor so that you can get the rightdiagnosisand treatment.
At a GlanceTrauma affects each person differently, but PTSD is more than a normal stress reaction. Common symptoms include intrusive symptoms (such as flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, and nightmares, the avoidance of trauma reminders, negative changes in mood, and changes in arousal and reactivity. Keep reading to learn more about the diagnostic criteria for the condition and why it is important to talk to a mental health professional if you are experiencing these symptoms.
At a Glance
Trauma affects each person differently, but PTSD is more than a normal stress reaction. Common symptoms include intrusive symptoms (such as flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, and nightmares, the avoidance of trauma reminders, negative changes in mood, and changes in arousal and reactivity. Keep reading to learn more about the diagnostic criteria for the condition and why it is important to talk to a mental health professional if you are experiencing these symptoms.
There are specific requirements that must be met for a diagnosis of PTSD. These requirements are outlined in the 5th edition of the"Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM-5-TR).
Criterion A: Stressor
Exposure or threat of death, serious injury, or sexual violence in one or more of the following ways:
Criterion B: Intrusion Symptoms
The traumatic event is persistently re-experienced in one or more of the following ways:
Criterion C: Avoidance
Criterion D: Negative Alterations in Mood
Criterion E: Alterations in Arousal and Reactivity
Trauma-related alterations in arousal and reactivity that began or worsened after the traumatic event, including two or more of the following:
Criterion F: Duration
Persistence of symptoms in Criteria B, C, D, and E for more than one month.
Criterion G: Functional Significance
Significant symptom-related distress orimpairment of different areas of life,such as social or occupational.
Criterion H: Exclusion
The disturbance is not due to medication, substance use, or other illness.
DSM-5 PTSD DiagnosisIn order to be diagnosed with PTSD according to the DSM-5, you need to meet the following:Criterion AOne symptom or more from Criterion BOne symptom or more from Criterion CTwo symptoms or more from Criterion DTwo symptoms or more from Criterion ECriterion FCriterion GCriterion H
DSM-5 PTSD Diagnosis
In order to be diagnosed with PTSD according to the DSM-5, you need to meet the following:Criterion AOne symptom or more from Criterion BOne symptom or more from Criterion CTwo symptoms or more from Criterion DTwo symptoms or more from Criterion ECriterion FCriterion GCriterion H
In order to be diagnosed with PTSD according to the DSM-5, you need to meet the following:
There are a few changes in the latest version of the DSM regarding PTSD diagnosis.
Key changes include:
The biggest change in the DSM-5 is removing PTSD from the category of anxiety disorders and putting it in a classification called “Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders.”
You can review the rationale behind these changes, as well as look at other changes in the DSM-5, at the website for theAmerican Psychiatric Association (APA).
The most recent text revision to the DSM-5 also includes a criterion change for post-traumatic stress disorder in children. This change involved removing the note in criteria A.2 stating that witnessing a traumatic event does not include events only viewed on television, movies, pictures, or electronic media. According to the American Psychiatric Association, this note was redundant since the diagnostic criteria already state that the event must be witnessed in person.
In addition to using the DSM-5 manual to assess for PTSD criteria, a medical professional will likely want to complete a physical examination to check for medical problems that could be contributing to or causing symptoms.
Apsychological evaluationis likely to be recommended, which allows for you to openly discuss with your provider some of the events that have led to you experiencing these symptoms. During this evaluation, you would share with a provider signs and symptoms you’re experiencing, as well as the duration and level of intensity of these.
This collective information can help medical providers and mental health professionals gain an understanding of your treatment needs and provide you with an appropriate level of care.
The Difference Between PTSD and Stress
Not everyone who has experienced atraumatic eventwill develop PTSD. After a traumatic event, it is normal to have strong feelings of anxiety, sadness, or stress. Some people may even experience nightmares, memories about the event, or problems sleeping at night, which are common characteristics of PTSD.
However, these symptoms do not necessarily mean that you have PTSD. Think of it this way: Headaches can be a symptom of a bigger problem, such as meningitis.
However, having a headache does not necessarily mean that you have meningitis. The same is true for PTSD. Many of the symptoms are part of the body’s normal response to stress, but having them does not mean that you have PTSD.
Causes and Risk Factors of PTSD
The debilitating symptoms of PTSD can make living, working, and interacting difficult. In fact, many people struggling with post traumatic stress disorder can turn to unhealthy coping skills like substance abuse or self-harm in an attempt to minimize or escape from their emotional distress.
If you have been experiencing symptoms for longer than a month, it could be helpful for you to talk with a professional. When you are dealing withnightmares, flashbacks, and a negative outlook about yourself and others, it can begin to feel like things will never change.
Finding a qualified professional to help can make all the difference, bringing back hope through the sharing of your experiences and helping you learn healthy, effective ways of coping.
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Time Doesn’t Always Help
Sometimes after a traumatic experience, people believe that their symptoms will eventually go away over time. This eventual lessening of distressing symptoms can happen for some people—but not for everyone.
You may experience symptoms long after the traumatic event has taken place, making it difficult to associate your symptoms with PTSD.
Even if months or years have passed, it can be helpful for you to speak with a qualified professional to gain an accurate understanding of what is happening for you and be connected with appropriate resources that can help youregain your quality of life.
Although the hallmark of post-traumatic stress disorder is having experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, there are a variety of distressing symptoms that someone with PTSD will experience after the event.
Understanding that some of these symptoms may overlap with other mental health conditions, it is important that a thorough evaluation is done to make sure the diagnosis of PTSD is accurate.
Other conditions that could be discussed or explored with your health care provider, due to the symptoms you might be experiencing, could include things like:
Again, because some of the distressing symptoms can overlap a bit with other mental health conditions, it is important to talk with a qualified professional to make sure you receive an accurate diagnosis and are provided with appropriate resources for care and treatment.
Being honest and open with your provider about the symptoms you have been experiencing is critical to helping them understand what is happening for you and to establish the right path for your healing.
Takeaways
Not everyone who experiences a traumatic event will develop PTSD. However, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms. Seeking treatment and being open and honest with your healthcare provider about your symptoms can ensure you get the treatment you need to process and cope with your experience.
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5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.Pai A, Suris AM, North CS.Posttraumatic stress disorder in the DSM-5: Controversy, change, and conceptual considerations.Behav Sci (Basel). 2017;7(1):7. doi:10.3390/bs7010007American Psychiatric Association.Posttraumatic stress disorder.Lancaster CL, Teeters JB, Gros DF, Back SE.Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Overview of Evidence-Based Assessment and Treatment.J Clin Med. 2016;5(11):105. Published 2016 Nov 22. doi:10.3390/jcm5110105National Institute of Mental Health.Post-traumatic stress disorder.
5 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.Pai A, Suris AM, North CS.Posttraumatic stress disorder in the DSM-5: Controversy, change, and conceptual considerations.Behav Sci (Basel). 2017;7(1):7. doi:10.3390/bs7010007American Psychiatric Association.Posttraumatic stress disorder.Lancaster CL, Teeters JB, Gros DF, Back SE.Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Overview of Evidence-Based Assessment and Treatment.J Clin Med. 2016;5(11):105. Published 2016 Nov 22. doi:10.3390/jcm5110105National Institute of Mental Health.Post-traumatic stress disorder.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.Pai A, Suris AM, North CS.Posttraumatic stress disorder in the DSM-5: Controversy, change, and conceptual considerations.Behav Sci (Basel). 2017;7(1):7. doi:10.3390/bs7010007American Psychiatric Association.Posttraumatic stress disorder.Lancaster CL, Teeters JB, Gros DF, Back SE.Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Overview of Evidence-Based Assessment and Treatment.J Clin Med. 2016;5(11):105. Published 2016 Nov 22. doi:10.3390/jcm5110105National Institute of Mental Health.Post-traumatic stress disorder.
American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.
Pai A, Suris AM, North CS.Posttraumatic stress disorder in the DSM-5: Controversy, change, and conceptual considerations.Behav Sci (Basel). 2017;7(1):7. doi:10.3390/bs7010007
American Psychiatric Association.Posttraumatic stress disorder.
Lancaster CL, Teeters JB, Gros DF, Back SE.Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Overview of Evidence-Based Assessment and Treatment.J Clin Med. 2016;5(11):105. Published 2016 Nov 22. doi:10.3390/jcm5110105
National Institute of Mental Health.Post-traumatic stress disorder.
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