I believe I’ve mentioned that I was diagnosed with PTSD relatively recently (within the last two or three years I think). Here, I’m going to list the DSM-5 criteria for diagnosing PTSD, but keep in mind that the DSM-5’s understanding of PTSD is still a bit rudimentary–particularly the first criterion, which, to the dismay of my psychiatrist, caused one therapist to immediately say I don’t meet the criteria at all.
I also want to say that, compared to the other mental illnesses I’ve covered so far, I don’t know very much about PTSD. I’m reading a book on it and am going to be double checking everything I type here about it. With that being said… Here are the DSM-5 criteria for diagnosing post-traumatic stress disorder:
A. Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence in one (or more) of the following ways:
1. directly experiencing the traumatic event;
2. witnessing, in person, the event as it happens to others;
3. learning that the event happened to a close family member or close friend. in cases of actual or threatened death, the event must have been violent or accidental;
4. experiencing repeated or extreme exposure to aversive details of the event (such as in first responder or police officer work).
B. Presence of one (or more) of the following intrusion symptoms associated with the traumatic event, beginning after the event occurred:
1. recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories of the event;
2. recurrent, distressing dreams in which the content and/or affect of the dream is related to the event;
3. dissociative reactions (flashbacks) in which the individual feels or acts as though the event were recurring;
4. intense or prolonged psychological distress at exposure to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the event;
5. marked physiological reactions to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the event.
C. Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event, beginning after the event occurred, as evidenced by one or both of the following:
1. avoidance of or efforts to avoid distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely associated with the event;
2. avoidance of or efforts to avoid external reminders (people, places, conversations, activities, objects, situations) that arouse distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely associated with the event.
D. Negative alterations in cognitions and mood associated with the traumatic event, beginning or worsening after the event occurred, as evidenced by two (or more) of the following:
1. inability to remember an important aspect of the event (typically due to dissociative amnesia, and not to other factors such as head injury, alcohol, or drugs);
2. persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs or expectations about oneself, others, or the world;
3. persistent, distorted cognitions about the cause or consequences of the event that lead the individual to blame themself or others;
4. persistent negative emotional state;
5. markedly diminished interest or participation in significant activities;
6. feelings of detachment or estrangement from others;
7. persistent inability to experience positive emotions.
E. Marked alterations in arousal and reactivity associated with the traumatic event, beginning or worsening after the event occurred, as evidenced by two (or more) of the following:
1. irritable behavior and angry outbursts (with little or no provocation), typically expressed as verbal or physical aggression toward people or objects;
2. reckless or self-destructive behavior;
3. hypervigilance;
4. exaggerated startle response;
5. problems with concentration;
6. sleep disturbance.
F. Duration of the disturbance (Criteria B, C, D, and E) is more than 1 month.
G. The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
H. The disturbance is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance or another medical condition.
After going through this criteria, the psychologist may also specify with or without depersonalization and/or derealization, and if the full criteria is not met until 6 months after the traumatic event, it is considered a delayed response.
To be continued…
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