DSM-5 PTSD Diagnostic Criteria

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Questions and Answers

Which criterion is required for a diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) according to the DSM-5?

  • A history of major depressive episodes with melancholic features.
  • A persistent pattern of generalized anxiety and worry about various events or activities.
  • Presence of obsessions and/or compulsions that cause marked distress.
  • Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. (correct)

Which of the following is an example of experiencing a traumatic event indirectly, as defined by the DSM-5 criteria for PTSD?

  • Directly experiencing a car accident resulting in serious injury.
  • Learning about the sudden death of a close family member. (correct)
  • Personally experiencing a natural disaster such as a hurricane.
  • Witnessing a robbery at a local store.

Which of the five symptom subcategories of PTSD involves recurrent, involuntary, and distressing memories of a traumatic event?

  • Intrusion (correct)
  • Alterations in arousal and reactivity
  • Avoidance
  • Negative alterations in cognitions and mood

What is the defining feature of 'flashbacks' as they relate to re-experiencing symptoms of PTSD?

<p>Feeling as though the traumatic event is happening again in the present moment. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an 'avoidance symptom' in individuals with PTSD?

<p>Avoiding places or activities that trigger memories of the trauma. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is 'psychogenic amnesia' in the context of PTSD?

<p>The inability to remember important aspects of the traumatic event. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of 'negative alterations in cognitions and mood' associated with PTSD?

<p>Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is hypervigilance, as it relates to alterations in arousal and reactivity in PTSD?

<p>An exaggerated awareness of potential threats in the environment. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes how concentration problems impact individuals with PTSD?

<p>They can interfere with academic or work performance. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why might an individual with PTSD experience sleep disturbances?

<p>Because of nightmares and trauma-related anxiety. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the prospective study on female rape survivors, what was the key finding regarding the prevalence of PTSD symptoms in the immediate aftermath of the assault?

<p>Almost all survivors met the symptomatic criteria for PTSD in the first week, but not necessarily the duration criteria. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the prospective study, how did the symptom progression differ between rape survivors who developed chronic PTSD and those who recovered?

<p>The recovering group experienced continuous symptom improvement, while the chronic PTSD group plateaued after the first month. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is PTSD conceptualized as a disorder of extinction?

<p>As a condition where fear responses fail to diminish over time, even in the absence of threat. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is most accurate regarding the relationship between DSM symptoms of PTSD and the normal response to trauma?

<p>DSM symptoms of PTSD are part of the normal response to trauma, but their persistence and severity distinguish PTSD from typical recovery. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between acute stress disorder (ASD) and PTSD in terms of duration of symptoms?

<p>Symptoms of ASD last for 3 days to 1 month after trauma exposure, while PTSD symptoms persist for more than 1 month. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An individual avoids driving after witnessing a fatal car accident. This behavior is most indicative of which PTSD symptom cluster?

<p>Avoidance. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A veteran with PTSD consistently experiences exaggerated startle responses and is easily irritated. Which PTSD symptom category do these behaviors fall under?

<p>Alterations in arousal and reactivity (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A rape survivor expresses persistent feelings of guilt and self-blame regarding the assault. This is most indicative of symptoms related to which PTSD criterion?

<p>Negative alterations in cognitions and mood (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the relationship between comorbid major depression and sleep disturbances in individuals with PTSD?

<p>Comorbid depression exacerbates sleep problems in individuals with PTSD. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does distraction during the day relate to sleep disturbances in PTSD?

<p>Distraction can postpone intrusive thoughts until bedtime, disrupting sleep. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

PTSD

An anxiety disorder where an external event is part of the diagnostic criteria, involving exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violation.

PTSD Symptom Subcategories

Re-experiencing the trauma, avoidance, negative alterations in cognition and mood, and marked alterations in arousal and reactivity.

Re-experiencing Symptoms

Distressing memories, nightmares, flashbacks, intense psychological distress, and physiological reactions.

Avoidance Symptoms

Avoiding thoughts, discussions, or reminders; psychogenic amnesia; inability to experience positive emotions.

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Negative Alterations in Cognitions and Mood

Persistent blame, negative emotions, diminished interest, detachment, and negative beliefs.

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Alterations in Arousal and Reactivity

Anger, reckless behavior, hypervigilance, and exaggerated startle response.

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Cognitive and Sleep Disturbances

Concentration problems and sleep disturbances.

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PTSD as a Disorder of Extinction

A disorder where fear responses do not diminish over time.

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Study Notes

DSM-5 PTSD Diagnostic Criteria

  • PTSD is considered an anxiety disorder where an external event is part of the diagnostic criteria.
  • The external event involves exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violation.
  • Exposure can occur through:
    • Directly experiencing the traumatic event
    • Witnessing the traumatic event
    • Learning the event happened to a loved one
    • Repeated or extreme exposure to aversive details

Five Subcategories of PTSD Symptoms

  • Intrusion (Criterion B)
  • Avoidance (Criterion C)
  • Negative alterations in cognitions and mood (Criterion D)
  • Marked alterations in arousal and reactivity (Criterion E)

Re-experiencing Symptoms

  • Individuals are haunted by past events
  • Manifests as distressing memories and nightmares
  • Flashbacks can occur, where the trauma replays as if happening again
  • Intense psychological distress and physiological reactions are common

Avoidance Symptoms

  • People with PTSD avoid thoughts, discussions, or reminders of the trauma
  • Psychogenic amnesia, or inability to remember important trauma parts can occur
  • Inability to experience positive emotions

Negative Alterations in Cognitions and Mood

  • Persistent and distorted blame of self or others
  • Negative emotional states like anger, guilt, or fear are common
  • Diminished interest in previously enjoyed activities
  • Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others
  • Negative beliefs or expectations about the world, themselves, or others

Alterations in Arousal and Reactivity

  • Anger, angry outbursts, and irritable behavior
  • Reckless or self-destructive behavior
  • Hypervigilance
  • Exaggerated startle response

Cognitive and Sleep Disturbances

  • Concentration problems, impacting academic or work performance
  • Sleep disturbances are common due to nightmares and fear
  • Comorbid major depression contributes to sleep problems
  • Distraction during the day may cause thoughts of the event to flood back upon trying to sleep

Prospective Study on Female Rape Survivors

  • Study assessed PTSD symptoms in rape survivors weekly for 12 weeks after the assault
  • 94% met symptomatic criteria for PTSD in the first week, but not the duration criteria
  • After 12 weeks, almost half met full criteria for PTSD

PTSD as a Disorder of Extinction

  • The study divided participants by PTSD status at week 12
  • Everyone experienced high PTSD symptoms initially, improving in the first month
  • Those recovering continued to improve, while those with chronic PTSD did not change after week 4
  • PTSD is seen as a disorder of extinction where fear doesn't extinguish over time for some.
  • The DSM symptoms of PTSD are part of the normal response to trauma.

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