Diagnosis of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

June 10, 2008 - 7:30am

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Diagnosis of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

]]>PTSD]]> is categorized according to when symptoms occur and how long they last. There are three types of PTSD:

Acute—symptoms last between 1-3 months after the event
Chronic—symptoms last more than three months after the event
Delayed onset—symptoms don’t appear until at least six months after the event

Diagnosis of PTSD is usually based on the following:

Initial Assessment

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and medical history. This could be done by a structured interview and/or questionnaire. You will be given a psychological assessment and asked about past trauma. PTSD will be diagnosed if you have the specified symptoms, they last for more than one month, and they result in both emotional distress and disturbed functioning (problems at school, work, and/or in family and peer relationships).

Diagnosis is often based on the criteria outlined in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), which include the following:

Exposure to a traumatic event
Repeated vivid and uncontrollable memories
Dreams and recollections of the event
Emotional numbness
Physical symptoms of fear triggered by cues in the environment or other physical sensations that dredge up the traumatic event
Interference with work, school, and/or relationships

Evaluation for Substance Abuse

Using and withdrawing from addictive substances can cause ]]>anxiety]]> and other symptoms that resemble PTSD. Your doctor may ask about your use of alcohol and other drugs.

Evaluation of Other Psychiatric Disorders

Other psychiatric disorders often occur with PTSD. You may be tested for other psychiatric disorders, such as:

]]>Alcohol]]> or ]]>drug abuse and dependence]]>
]]>Depression]]>
Other ]]>anxiety disorders]]>
Phobias

References:

National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder website. Available at: http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ .

American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home.html .

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR). American Psychiatric Association; 2000.

Last reviewed March 2009 by ]]>Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD]]>

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.