Diagnosing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has a specific
criteria that must be met in order for an anxiety disorder to be
diagnosed as PTSD. This “test” is called the DSM-IV. It has been used as
the primary diagnostic tool for a number of years, is generally agreed
upon by the psychiatric and medical fields as the most reliable methods
of determining the disorder and has been revised only slightly over a
long period of time.
The DSM-IV looks for a specific set of symptoms, or combination of
symptoms, the length of time since the event occurred as well as the
overall impact it has on your emotional health and your daily life. Not
all of the symptoms will be present in all people, and some symptoms may
be more pronounced of more disabling than others. This is merely the
guide that is used for the original diagnosis.
There are six primary symptoms that are looked for:
1. Exposure to a traumatic event
2. Persistently re-experiencing the event (i.e. flashbacks, nightmares)
3. Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma. (this
includes the inability to discuss the event or anything related to the
experience. Avoiding things and discussions that may trigger a flashback
or deep memories of the trauma)
4. Persistent symptoms of increased arousal (i.e. anger, hypervigilance,
sleep disturbances)
5. Symptoms lasting longer than one month
6. Significant impairment of social, occupational or other areas of
functioning (in other words, social isolation, difficulty maintaining
relationships or problems at work).
The two most notable criteria include the stressor and the response. The
stressor, or traumatic event requires that you experienced, witnessed or
were confronted with an event or series of events that involved actual
or threatened death, serious injury or a threat to your physical
integrity or that of others. Your response to the event must have
involved feelings of intense fear, helplessness or horror. Both of these
criteria must be met in order for a diagnosis of PTSD.
Remember, this is simply the test that determines if you may or likely
have PTSD, it does not determine the level of disability you may be
suffering or what treatment options your physician should use in your
particular situation. It does however assist the medical or
psychological professional in helping to determine what medications (if
any) may help the most based on which symptoms are causing you the most
problems or concerns. For example, if you are having difficulty sleeping
or staying asleep, it makes no sense to give you a medication for anger
or to help you combat fear. Instead, maybe something to help you sleep
is more appropriate. If you are sleeping okay, but have difficulty
concentrating or experience high anxiety levels when you are away from
your “safety zone” then something for sleep would be inappropriate and
something for anxiety may be the right course of action.
Medication is not always the best course of action at all. In some cases
counseling or psychotherapy may work far better than putting a person on
mood altering drugs. Only you and your health care provider can
determine the best course of action for you. |
