Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Whether it be witnessing a gruesome death, fearing for your own life at war or a workplace shooting, the aftermath of a car accident, or the trauma of being raped, PTSD does not discriminate. You are not alone. Your symptoms are real. We are here to help.

Your therapist will issue you the PCL-5, the PTSD assessment, to determine your symptoms. The following is the criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder as determined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5).

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

A. Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence in one (or more) of the following ways:

1. Directly experiencing the traumatic events

2. Witnessing, in person, the event(s) as it occurred to others

3. Learning that the events occurred to a close family member or friend (paraphrasing)

4. Experiencing repeated or extreme exposure to aversive details of the traumatic events (paraphrasing)

B. Presence of one (or more) of the following intrusion symptoms associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning after the traumatic events occurred

1. Recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories of the traumatic event(s)

2. Recurrent distressing dreams in which the content and/or affect of the dream are related to the traumatic event(s)

3. Dissociative reactions (e,g,, flashbacks) in which the individual feels or acts as if the traumatic events were recurring.

4. Intense or prolonged psychological distress at exposure to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event(s)

5. Marked physiological reactions to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event(s).

C. Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic events(s), beginning after the traumatic events(occurred), as evidenced by one or both of the following:

1. Avoidance of or efforts to avoid distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely associated with the traumatic event(s).

2. Avoidance of or efforts to avoid external reminders (people, places, conversations, activities, objects, situations) that arouse distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely associated with the traumatic event(s).

D. Negative alterations in cognitions and mood associated with the traumatic event(s) beginning or worsening after the traumatic event(s) occurred, as evidenced by two (or more) of the following:

1. Inability to remember an important aspect of the traumatic event(s) (paraphrased)

2. Persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs or expectations about oneself, others, or the world.

3. Persistent, distorted cognitions about the cause or consequences of the traumatic event(s) that lead the individual to blame themselves or others.

4. Persistent negative emotional state

5. Markedly diminished interest or participation in significant activities

6. Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others

7. Persistent inability to experience positive emotions

E. Marked alterations

1. Irritable behavior and angry outbursts

2. Reckless or self-destructive behavior

3. Hypervigilance

4. Exaggerated startle response

5. Problems with concentration

6. Sleep disturbances

F. Duration of the disturbance is more than 1 month

G. The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

H. The disturbance is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance or another medical condition.