What is PTSD?

PTSD stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. It is a mental health condition that can develop in individuals who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. Traumatic events that can trigger PTSD include but are not limited to:

1. Combat exposure: Military personnel who have been in combat situations.
2. Physical or sexual assault: Experiencing or witnessing a violent assault.
3. Accidents: Involvement in a serious accident, such as a car crash.
4. Natural disasters: Surviving events like earthquakes, floods, or hurricanes.
5. Sudden loss: The unexpected death of a loved one.
6. Childhood trauma: Persistent abuse, neglect, or adverse experiences during childhood.
   

DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria for PTSD | How to Know If You May Have PTSD

The key feature of PTSD is the presence of symptoms that persist for at least a month and significantly impact daily functioning. The following criteria apply to adults, adolescents, and children older than 6 years.

1. Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence in one (or more) of the following ways:
2. Directly experiencing the traumatic event(s).
3. Witnessing, in person, the event(s) as it occurred to others.
4. Learning that the traumatic event(s) occurred to a close family member or close friend. In cases of actual or threatened death of a family member or friend, the event(s) must have been violent or accidental.
5. Experiencing repeated or extreme exposure to aversive details of the traumatic event(s) (e.g., first responders collecting human remains; police officers repeatedly exposed to details of child abuse). Note: Criterion A4 does not apply to exposure through electronic media, television, movies, or pictures, unless this exposure is work related.
   
   
6. Presence of one (or more) of the following intrusion symptoms associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning after the traumatic event(s) occurred:
7. Recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories of the traumatic event(s). Note: In children older than 6 years, repetitive play may occur in which themes or aspects of the traumatic event(s) are expressed.
8. Recurrent distressing dreams in which the content and/or affect of the dream are related to the traumatic event(s). Note: In children, there may be frightening dreams without recognizable content.
9. Dissociative reactions (e.g., flashbacks) in which the individual feels or acts as if the traumatic event(s) were recurring. (Such reactions may occur on a continuum, with the most extreme expression being a complete loss of awareness of present surroundings.) Note: In children, trauma-specific reenactment may occur in play.
10. Intense or prolonged psychological distress at exposure to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event(s).
11. Marked physiological reactions to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event(s).
    
    
12. Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning after the traumatic event(s) occurred, as evidenced by one or both of the following:
13. Avoidance of or efforts to avoid distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely associated with the traumatic event(s).
14. 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 traumatic event(s).
    
    
15. Negative alterations in cognitions and mood associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning or worsening after the traumatic event(s) occurred, as evidenced by two (or more) of the following:
16. Inability to remember an important aspect of the traumatic event(s) (typically due to dissociative amnesia, and not to other factors such as head injury, alcohol, or drugs).
17. Persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs or expectations about oneself, others, or the world (e.g., “I am bad,” “No one can be trusted,” “The world is completely dangerous,” “My whole nervous system is permanently ruined”).
18. Persistent, distorted cognitions about the cause or consequences of the traumatic event(s) that lead the individual to blame himself/herself or others.
19. Persistent negative emotional state (e.g., fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame).
20. Markedly diminished interest or participation in significant activities.
21. Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others.
22. Persistent inability to experience positive emotions (e.g., inability to experience happiness, satisfaction, or loving feelings).
    
    
23. Marked alterations in arousal and reactivity associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning or worsening after the traumatic event(s) occurred, as evidenced by two (or more) of the following:
24. Irritable behavior and angry outbursts (with little or no provocation), typically expressed as verbal or physical aggression toward people or objects.
25. Reckless or self-destructive behavior.
26. Hypervigilance.
27. Exaggerated startle response.
28. Problems with concentration.
29. Sleep disturbance (e.g., difficulty falling or staying asleep or restless sleep).
    
    
30. Duration of the disturbance (Criteria B, C, D and E) is more than 1 month.
    
    
31. The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
    
    
32. The disturbance is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., medication, alcohol) or another medical condition.

Therapy is always an option to consider when you are struggling with symptoms related to PTSD.

PTSD can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. The severity of symptoms can vary, and not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD. Timely intervention and appropriate treatment, which may include therapy, medication, or a combination of both, can significantly improve symptoms and help individuals regain a sense of control and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with symptoms related to trauma, it's important to seek professional help.