DSM-5 PTSD Diagnostic Criteria

DSM-5 PTSD Diagnostic Criteria PTSD Diagnosis Print DSM-5 PTSD Diagnostic Criteria By Matthew Tull, PhD twitter Matthew Tull, PhD is a professor of psychology at the University of Toledo, specializing in post-traumatic stress disorder. Learn about our editorial policy Matthew Tull, PhD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on November 07, 2019 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD on November 07, 2019 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Overview Symptoms & Diagnosis Causes & Risk Factors Treatment Living With In Children PeopleImages / E+ / Getty Images In This Article Table of Contents Expand Criterion A Criterion B Criterion C Criterion D Criterion E Criterion F Criterion G Criterion H DSM-5 PTSD Diagnosis How DSM-5 Changed View All The criteria for diagnosing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the fifth edition of the  Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders  (DSM-5) are somewhat different than the criteria in the fourth edition. Here are the symptom criteria in the DSM-5.?? Criterion A You were exposed to one or more event(s) that involved death or threatened death, actual or threatened serious injury, or threatened sexual violation. In addition, these events were experienced in one or more of the following ways: You experienced the eventYou witnessed the event as it occurred to someone elseYou learned about an event where a close relative or friend experienced an actual or threatened violent or accidental deathYou experienced repeated exposure to distressing details of an event, such as a police officer repeatedly hearing details about child sexual abuse?? How Traumatic Events Cause PTSD Criterion B You experience at least one of the following intrusive symptoms associated with the traumatic event: Unexpected or expected reoccurring, involuntary, and intrusive upsetting memories of the traumatic eventRepeated upsetting dreams where the content of the dreams is related to the traumatic eventThe experience of some type of dissociation (for example, flashbacks) where you feel as though the traumatic event is happening again??Strong and persistent distress upon exposure to cues that are either inside or outside of your body that is connected to your traumatic eventStrong bodily reactions (for example, increased heart rate) upon exposure to a reminder of the traumatic event Definition of Dissociation for People With PTSD Criterion C Frequent avoidance of reminders associated with the traumatic event, as demonstrated by one of the following: Avoidance of thoughts, feelings, or physical sensations that bring up memories of the traumatic event??Avoidance of people, places, conversations, activities, objects, or situations that bring up memories of the traumatic event How to Anticipate and Manage PTSD Intrusive Thoughts Criterion D At least two of the following negative changes in thoughts and mood that occurred or worsened following the experience of the traumatic event: The inability to remember an important aspect of the traumatic eventPersistent and elevated negative evaluations about yourself, others, or the world (for example, I am unlovable, or The world is an evil place)Elevated self-blame or blame of others about the cause or consequence of a traumatic event??A negative emotional state (for example, shame, anger, or fear) that is pervasiveLoss of interest in activities that you used to enjoyFeeling detached from othersThe inability to experience positive emotions (for example, happiness, love, joy) The Relationship Between PTSD and Depression Criterion E At least two of the following changes in arousal that started or worsened following the experience of a traumatic event: Irritability or aggressive behaviorImpulsive or self-destructive behavior??Feeling constantly on guard or like danger is lurking around every corner (or hypervigilance)Heightened startle responseDifficulty concentratingProblems sleeping Hypervigilance as a Symptom of PTSD Criterion F The above symptoms last for more than one month. Criterion G The symptoms bring about considerable distress and/or interfere greatly with a number of different areas of your life. Criterion H The symptoms are not due to a medical condition or some form of substance use.?? DSM-5 PTSD Diagnosis In order to be diagnosed with PTSD according to the DSM-5, you need to meet the following: Criterion AOne symptom (or more) from Criterion BOne symptom (or more) from Criterion CTwo symptoms (or more) from Criterion DTwo symptoms (or more) from Criterion ECriteria F through H How DSM-5 Changed The biggest change in the DSM-5 is removing PTSD from the category of anxiety disorders and putting it in a classification called Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders.?? Other key changes include: More clearly defining what kind of events are considered traumatic in Criterion AAdding different types of exposure in Criterion AIncreasing the number of symptom groups from three to four by separating avoidance symptoms into their own group (Criterion C)Changing the wording of some of the symptoms from DSM-IVAdding a new set of criteria for children aged 6 or youngerEliminating the acute and chronic phasesIntroducing a new specifier called dissociative features?? You can review the rationale behind these changes, as well as look at other changes in the DSM-5, at the website for the  American Psychiatric Association  (APA). An Overview of PTSD