Trauma & stressor-related disorders: PTSD

Question 1

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Diagnostic (Criteria Overview)

Answer 1

A. Event exposure
B. Intrusive symptoms following exposure
C. Avoidance of stimulus related to event
D. Negative cognitions/mood symptoms
E. Arousal/reactivity symptoms
F. Duration
G. Significant distress/impairment
H. Not due to substances/med use

Adults, adolescents, and children ages 6+
Children under 6 y.o. have different symptoms

Question 2

PTSD Criterion A (4)

Answer 2

A. Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence in one or more of the following ways:

1. Direct experience
2. Witnessing the experience in person
3. Learning that this experience has happened to a relative or friend
4. Repeated/extreme exposure to traumatic details

Question 3

PTSD Criterion B (5)

Answer 3

B. 1+ of the following symptoms in relation to the traumatic event

1. Recurrent, intrusive, and involuntary memories
2. Recurrent distressing dreams related to the event
3. Dissociative reactions/ flashbacks
4. Distress at exposure to internal or external cues related to the event
5. Physiological reactions to internal or external cues related to the event

Question 4

PTSD Criterion C (2)

Answer 4

C. Avoidance of triggers, as evidenced by one or both of the following:

1. avoidance of distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings related to the event
2. Avoidance of external reminders related to the event (people, places, objects, situations, etc.)

Question 5

PTSD Criterion D (7)

Answer 5

D. Negative change in mood or cognition related to the event as evidenced by 2+ of the following:

1. Inability to remember important parts of the event
2. Persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs about self, others, and the world (“I’m bad”, “No one can be trusted).
3. Distorted perspective about the event that results in self-blaming
4. Persistent negative emotional state (fear, horror, anger, guilt, shame, etc. )
5. Loss of interest and participation in important activities
6. Detachment from others
7. Inability to experience positive emotions

Question 6

PTSD Criterion E (6)

Answer 6

E. Changes in reactivity associated with the event as evidenced by 2+ of the following:

1. Irritability and angry outbursts without provocation
2. Reckless or self-destructive bx
3. Hypervigilance
4. Exaggerated startle response
5. Problems with concentration
6. Sleep disturbance

Question 7

PTSD Criterion F

Answer 7

F. Duration of the disturbance is more than one month

Question 8

PTSD Criterion G

Answer 8

G. Clinically significant distress or impairment to functioning

Question 9

PTSD Criterion H

Answer 9

H. Not due to substance or medication use

Question 10

PTSD Specifiers (2)

Answer 10

With dissociative symptoms

With delayed expression

Question 11

PTSD Specifiers: With dissociative symptoms (2)

Answer 11

1. Depersonalization: out of body observer, feels like in a dream, unreality of self, time moving slowly, etc.
2. Derealization: unreal surroundings (dreamlike, distant, distorted, etc.)

Question 12

PTSD Specifier: With delayed expression

Answer 12

Full diagnostic criteria is met only after 6 months after the event (onset of disorder and some symptoms may appear immediately after event)

Question 13

Diagnostic Features: PTSD essential feature

Answer 13

Development of symptoms following a traumatic event