by Stephanie Andrews

Created on: July 09, 2008

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is classified as an Anxiety Disorder, and as with all other mental disorders, it is diagnosed through specific inclusion criteria established in the DSM-IV (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition).
Usually PTSD symptoms can be recognized, whether by family, friends, or by the survivor himself/herself. These symptoms are often very distressing and many will seek counseling because of it. It is in counseling that PTSD can be diagnosed. Most specifically a psychologist (or someone with adequate training in the mental health profession) will be able to properly diagnose someone with PTSD. Most, if not all psychologists, will refer to the DSM-IV to properly diagnose patients. However, the DSM-IV has very specific criteria that must be met in order to establish a diagnosis (This goes for all mental disorders, including PTSD). It is important to acknowledge that while the information provided in this article is not verbatim, this criteria and information has been provided by the DSM-IV and not myself (so as to give credit where credit is due).

The DSM-IV gives six different criteri, which every patient must meet in order to be properly diagnosed with PTSD. The first criterion, Criterion A, refers specifically to the Stressor. A person complaining of PTSD-like symptoms must have experienced (either first-hand or as a witness) an event (either a single or multiple event) that involved perceived or actual death or injury. Also, the patient's response to this event must be negative and may be expressed through "intense fear, helplessness, or horror" (DSM-IV). If the patient has experienced a life-threatening event (be it sexual assault, a natural disaster, warfare, etc), and is experiencing these negative emotions (With regards to the trauma), then the patient has met all inclusion criteria for Part A. As a side note, children with PTSD may display different symptoms. It's important to note that while adults may express intense fear or helplessness, children may express their emotions in "disorganized and agitated behavior" (DSM-IV).
Criterion B refers specifically to intrusive thoughts and memories. The traumatic event must be re-experienced in at least one of the following ways, 1. Through recurrent and distressing memories of the event, that may include images, perceptions, and cues, (Note: In children, repetitive themes or aspects of the trauma may be expressed in play), 2. Recurrent and distressing

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