Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is defined as a "complex anxiety disorder that may occur when individuals experience or witness an event perceived as a threat and in which they experience fear, terror, or helplessness." PTSD is sometimes summarized as “a normal reaction to abnormal events.” It was first defined as a distinctive disorder in 1980 and was originally diagnosed in veterans of the Vietnam War.
Although the veteran population is most heavily affected by PTSD, "it is now recognized in civilian survivors of rape or other criminal assaults; natural disasters; plane crashes, train collisions, or industrial explosions; acts of terrorism; child abuse; or war." (Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Health, 3rd ed.)
DSM-V: 309.81
ICD-10: F43.10
Special thanks to JJ Pionke, Applied Health Sciences Librarian, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, who allowed us copy information from her Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Guide.
Symptoms usually begin within 3 months of a traumatic incident. For symptoms to be considered PTSD, they must last more than a month and be severe enough to interfere with functioning in relationships or work. A doctor who has experience helping people with mental illnesses can diagnose PTSD.
To be diagnosed with PTSD, an adult must have all of the following for at least one month:
Re-experiencing symptoms:
Avoidance symptoms:
Arousal and reactivity symptoms:
Cognition and mood symptoms:
PTSD can affect almost anyone in any age group if they experience a traumatic event or series of events. National Institute of Mental Health studies showed that in 2007:
