DSM-5 Criteria for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)


Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence in one or more of 

the following ways 
 - Directly experiencing the traumatic event(s), Witnessing in person the event(s) as it occurred to others, Leaming 

that the traumatic event(s) occurred to a close family member or a close friend or In cases of actual or 

threatened death of a family member or friend, the event(s) must have been violent or accidental, Experiencing 

repeated or extreme exposure to aversive details of the traumatic event(s) (e.g. First responders collecting 

remains; police officers repeatedly exposed to details of child abuse) 
Presence of intrusion symptoms associated with traumatic event 
 - Recurrent, involuntary and intrusive memories, dreams and dissociative reactions (flashbacks) 
 - Intense physiological and psychological distress in response to cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of 

the traumatic event 
Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma 
Negative alterations in cognitions and mood associated with the traumatic event(s) e.g. 
 - Inability to recall an important aspect of the trauma 
 - Markedly diminished interest or participation in significant activities 
 - Feeling of detachment from others etc. 
Marked alterations in arousal and reactivity evidenced by two or more of the following: 
 - Difficulty falling or staying asleep, reckless or self destructive behaviour, irritability, difficulty concentrating, 

hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response 
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