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DSM-IV Signs & Symptoms Post Traumatic Stress Disorder | Post Traumatic Stress Disorder |
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THE DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA FOR POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER A. The person has been exposed to a traumatic event in which both the following were present: 1. The person experienced, witnessed, or was confronted with an event or events that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of self or others 2. The person's response involved intense fear, helplessness, or horror. Note: In children, this may be expressed instead by disorganized or agitated behavior B. The traumatic event is persistently reexperienced in one (or more) of the following ways: 1. Recurrent and intrusive distressing recollections of the event, including images, thoughts, or perceptions. Note: ln young children, repetitive play may occur in which themes or aspects the trauma are expressed. 2. Recurrent distressing dreams of the event. Note: In children, there may be frightening dreams without recognizable content. 3. Acting or feeling as if the traumatic event were recurring (includes a sense of reliving the experience, illusions, hallucinations, and dissociative flashback episodes, including those that occur on awakening or when intoxicated). Note: In young children, trauma-specific reenactment may occur. 4. Intense psychological distress at exposure to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event 5. Physiological reactivity on exposure to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event C. Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma and numbing of general responsiveness (not present before the trauma), as indicated by three (or more) of the following: 1. Efforts to avoid thoughts, feelings, or conversations associated with the trauma 2. Efforts to avoid activities, places, or people that arouse recollections of the trauma 3. Inability to recall an important aspect of the trauma 4. Markedly diminished interest or participation in significant activities 5. Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others 6. Restricted range of affect (e.g., unable to have loving feelings) 7. Sense of a foreshortened future (e.g., (does not expect to have a career, marriage, children, or a normal life span) D. Persistent symptoms of increased arousal (not present before the trauma), ss indicated by two (or more) of the following: 1. difficulty falling or staying asleep 2. irritability or outbursts of anger 3. difficulty concentrating 4. hypervigilance 5. exaggerated startle response E. Duration of the disturbance (symptoms in Criteria B, C, and D) is more than 1 month. F. The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. Specify if: Acute: if duration of symptoms is less than 3 months Chronic: if duration of symptoms is 3 months or more Specify if: With Delayed Onset: if onset of symptoms is at least 6 months after the stressor From the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed. (Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 1994) Some Events That May Cause PTSD: Fetal trauma (intra-uterine),Birth trauma, Loss of a parent or close family member,Illness, high fevers, accidental poisoning, Physical injuries, including falls and accidents, Sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, including severe abandonment, or beatings, Witnessing violence, Natural disasters such as earthquakes, fires, and floods, Certain medical and dental procedures, Surgery, particularly tonsillectomies with ether, operations for ear problems and for lazy eye, Anesthesia, Prolonged immobilization, the casting and splinting of young childrens legs or torsos for various reasons (turned-in feet, scoliosis). Some of the Symptoms of PTSD: Hyperarousal, Constriction, Dissociation (including denial), Feelings of Helplessness, Hypervigilance (being on guard at all times), Intrusive Imagery or Flashbacks, Extreme Sensitivity to Light and Sound, Hyperactivity, Exaggerated Emotional and Startle Responses, Nightmares and Night Terrors, Abrupt Mood Swings: e.g., rage reactions or temper tantrums, shame, Reduced Ability to Deal With Stress (Easily and Frequently Stressed Out), Difficulty Sleeping, Panic Attacks, Anxiety and Phobias, Mental blankness or spaciness, Avoidance Behavior (avoiding certain circumstances), Attraction to Dangerous Situations, Frequent Crying, Exaggerated or Diminished Sexual Activity, Amnesia and Forgetfulness, Inability to Love, Nurture, or Bond With Other Individuals, Fear of dying, Going Crazy, or Having a Shortened Life, Excessive Shyness, Muted or Diminished emotional Responses, Inability to Make Commitments, Chronic Fatigue or Very Low Physical Energy, Immune System Problems and Certain Endocrine Problems such as Thyroid Dysfunction, Psychosomatic Illnesses, Particularly Headaches, Neck and Back Problems, Asthma, Digestive, Spastic Colon, and Severe Premenstrual Syndrome, Depression, Feelings of Impending Doom, Feelings of Detachment, Alienation, and Isolation, Diminished Interest in Life, Reduced Ability to Formulate Plans. It is important to note that PTSD IS NOT a death sentence. It is very manageable with the right support, therapy, and sometimes medication. Please see a professional for diagnosis. You do NOT have to experience ALL the symptoms above to have PTSD. (from post traumatic stress disorder) Last update: 07-12-2005 06:18
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