Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Diagnosis

Definitions of what constitutes a traumatic event continue to evolve; perhaps reflecting the difficulty in operationally defining what is ultimately a subjective distinction. As currently defined, the trauma must also have evoked emotions of intense fear, helplessness or horror. Symptoms must be present for longer than a month; those with symptoms in the first month after a traumatic event may meet criteria for acute stress disorder. Apart from symptoms specified in the diagnostic criteria, PTSD patients often have important associated symptoms such as shame, guilt and isolation.