Diagnosis of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Initial Assessment

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and medical history. This could be done by a structured interview and/or questionnaire. You will be given a psychological assessment and asked about past trauma. PTSD will be diagnosed if you have the specified symptoms, they last for more than one month, and they result in both emotional distress and disturbed functioning (problems at school, work, and/or in family and peer relationships).

Diagnosis is often based on the criteria outlined in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), which include the following:

• Exposure to a traumatic event
• Recurrent and intrusive distressing memories of the event
• Repeated vivid and uncontrollable memories
• Emotional numbness
• Physical symptoms of fear triggered by cues in the environment or other physical sensations that dredge up the traumatic event
• Interference with work, school, and/or relationships

Evaluation for Substance Abuse

Using and withdrawing from addictive substances can cause anxiety and other symptoms that resemble PTSD. Your doctor may ask about your use of alcohol and other drugs.

Evaluation of Other Psychiatric Disorders

Other psychiatric disorders often occur with PTSD. You may be tested for other psychiatric disorders, such as:

• Alcohol or drug abuse and dependence
• Depression
• Other anxiety disorders
• Phobias