Marlon Familton, MA LMHC
1601 116th Ave NE, Ste. 102
Bellevue, WA  98004
425-417-4700

Diagnostic Criteria for Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD)

 

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th Ed; DSM-IV) is the book used by mental health professionals to make a diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). The following criteria is from the DSM and is offered here for informational purposes only and not intended to be used to diagnose. Only a qualified professional can make an accurate diagnosis.


Criterion A

A person must have experienced a traumatic event where both of the following occurred:

  • The person experienced, witnessed, or was confronted with an event where there was the threat of or actual death or serious injury. The event may also have involved a threat to the person's physical well-being or the physical well-being of another person.
  • The person responded to the event with strong feelings of fear, helplessness, or horror.

Criterion B

The person experiences at least one of the following re-experiencing symptoms of PTSD:

  • Frequently having upsetting thoughts or memories about a traumatic event.
  • Having recurrent nightmares.
  • Acting or feeling as though the traumatic event were happening again, sometimes called a "flashback."
  • Having very strong feelings of distress when reminded of the traumatic event.
  • Being physically responsive, such as experiencing a surge in your heart rate or sweating, to reminders of the traumatic event.

Criterion C

The person experiences at least three of the following avoidance symptoms of PTSD:

  • Making an effort to avoid thoughts, feelings, or conversations about the traumatic event.
  • Making an effort to avoid places or people that remind you of the traumatic event.
  • Having a difficult time remembering important parts of the traumatic event.
  • A loss of interest in important, once positive, activities.
  • Feeling distant from others.
  • Experiencing difficulties having positive feelings, such as happiness or love.
  • Feeling as though your life may be cut short.

Criterion D

The person experiences at least two of the following hyperarousal symptoms of PTSD:

  • Having a difficult time falling or staying asleep.
  • Feeling more irritable or having outbursts of anger.
  • Having difficulty concentrating.
  • Feeling constantly "on guard" or like danger is lurking around every corner.
  • Being "jumpy" or easily startled.

Criterion E

The symptoms described above must have lasted for more than a month. If the symptoms have lasted for less than a month, you may have another anxiety disorder called Acute Stress Disorder.

Criterion F

The symptoms described above have a great negative impact on your life, interfering with work or relationships.



Source: American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th Ed., Text Revision). Washington DC: American Psychiatric Association.

Other Resources