PTSD: Symptoms and Diagnosis

July 26, 2019

Dr. Srikanth Reddy

#Best Psychiatrist in Indore

#Best Psychologist and De-Addiction Specialist in Indore

 

Symptoms and Diagnosis of PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) happens after a traumatic event and interferes with a person’s capability to function. You may wonder if you or someone you care about has PTSD, and whether you require getting professional help. If you are experiencing symptoms of PTSD, it is significant to see a doctor so that you can get the right diagnosis and treatment.

The Difference between PTSD and Stress

Not everyone who has experienced a traumatic event will develop PTSD. After a traumatic event, it is normal to have strong feelings of anxiety, sadness, or stress. Some people may even experience nightmares, memories about the event, or problems sleeping at night, which are common characteristics of PTSD.

However, these symptoms do not necessarily mean that you have PTSD. Think of it this way: Headaches can be a symptom of a bigger problem, such as meningitis.

However, having a headache does not necessarily mean that you have meningitis. The same is true for PTSD. Many of the symptoms are part of the body’s usual response to stress, but having them does not mean that you have PTSD.

Stressor

Exposure or threat of death, serious injury, or sexual violence in one or more of the following ways:

• You directly experienced the event.
• You witnessed the event occur to someone else, in person.
• You learned of a close relative or close friend who experienced an actual or threatened accidental or violent death.
• You had repeated indirect exposure to distressing details of the event(s). This could happen in the course of professional duties. This do not include indirect non-professional exposure through electronic media, television, movies, or pictures.

Intrusion Symptoms

• Recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive memories. Children older than six may express this symptom through repetitive play in which aspects of the trauma is expressed.
• Traumatic nightmares or upsetting dreams with content connected to the event. Children may have frightening dreams without content related to the trauma.
• Dissociative reactions, such as flashbacks, in which it feels like the experience is happening again. These may happen on a continuum ranging from brief episodes to complete loss of consciousness. Children may re-enact the events in play.
• Intense or prolonged distress after exposure to traumatic reminders.
• Marked physiological reactivity, such as enlarged heart rate, after exposure to traumatic reminders.

Negative Alterations in Mood

• Negative alterations in cognition and mood that began or worsened after the traumatic event as evidenced by two or more of the following:
• Inability to recall key features of the traumatic event. This is generally dissociative amnesia, not due to head injury, alcohol, or drugs.
• Persistent and often distorted negative beliefs and expectations about oneself or the world, such as “I am bad,” or “The world is totally dangerous.”
• Persistent distorted blame of self or others for causing the traumatic event or for the resulting consequences.
• Persistent negative emotions, including fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame.
• Markedly diminished interest in activities that used to be enjoyable.
• Feeling alienated, detached or estranged from others.