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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffPost-traumatic stress disorder is diagnosed based on signs and symptoms and a thorough psychological evaluation. Your doctor or mental health professional will ask you to describe the signs and symptoms you're experiencing — what they are, when they occur, how intense they are and how long they last. Your doctor also might ask you to describe the event that led up to your symptoms. You may also have a physical exam to check for any other medical problems.
To be diagnosed with PTSD, you must meet criteria spelled out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association. This manual is used by mental health professionals to diagnose mental conditions and by insurance companies to determine reimbursement for treatment.
Criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder to be diagnosed include:
- You experienced or witnessed an event that involved death or serious injury, or the threat of death or serious injury
- Your response to the event involved intense fear, horror or a sense of helplessness
- You relive experiences of the event, such as having distressing images and memories, upsetting dreams, flashbacks, or even physical reactions
- You try to avoid situations or things that remind you of the traumatic event or feel a sense of emotional numbness
- You feel as if you're constantly on guard or alert for signs of danger, which may make you have trouble sleeping or concentrating
- Your symptoms last longer than one month
- The symptoms cause significant distress in your life or interfere with your ability to go about your normal daily tasks
- Posttraumatic stress disorder. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed March 3, 2009.
- Hollander E, et al. Posttraumatic stress disorder. In: Hales RE, et al., eds. The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Psychiatry. 5th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2008. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed March 3, 2009.
- Ciechanowski P, et al. Overview of post-traumatic stress disorder. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 3, 2009.
- How common is PTSD? National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/ncdocs/fact_shts/fs_how_common_is_ptsd.html. Accessed March 3, 2009.
- Nakell L. Adult post-traumatic stress disorder: Screening and treating in primary care. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice. 2007;34:593.
- How common is PTSD? National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/ncdocs/fact_shts/fs_how_common_is_ptsd.html. Accessed March 3, 2009.
- Treatment of patients with acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. American Psychiatric Association Practice Guidelines. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2004. http://psychiatryonline.com/pracGuide/pracGuideTopic_11.aspx. Accessed March 3, 2009.
- Self-care and self-help following disasters. National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/ncdocs/fact_shts/fs_self_care_disaster.html. Accessed March 3, 2009.
- Feldman MD, et al. Posttraumatic stress disorder. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/123833839-2/811458959/1701/472.html. Accessed March 3, 2009.
- What is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/ncdocs/fact_shts/fs_what_is_ptsd.html. Accessed March 3, 2009.
- Helping a family member who has PTSD. Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/ncdocs/fact_shts/helping_a_family_member.html. Accessed March 3, 2009.
- Taylor HR, et al. Prazosin for treatment of nightmares related to PTSD. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy. 2008;65:716.
