In order to assess weather a patient suffers from PTSD, a clinician should first refer to the DSM-IV. The DSM-IV recognizes PTSD as an anxiety disorder, which places its’ diagnosis in the Axis 1 tier. Diagnostic categories are described in terms of essential features and any associated features to aid in an assessment of a patient. The diagnostic feature of PTSD within the DSM-IV is the re-experiencing of a highly traumatic event accompanied by heightened arousal and avoidance of stimuli associated with th

An interesting study, dealing with the idea that dementia increases PTSD symptoms, describes and explains the symptoms of PTSD. Three cases of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms associated with cognitive decline were examined. These patients all had war-related PTSD. In each case, the patient had a history of PTSD that was under fairly good control until the onset of cognitive impairment. (Mittal, D, Torres, R, Abashidze, A, Jimerson, N, 2001, p. 1).

The Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) was one of the first diagnostic interview techniques developed for PTSD. Developed by Veteran Administration (VA) experts, CAPS is the standard used for assessing and diagnosing PTSD for both military veterans and civilian trauma survivors (Kohn, C., Hasty, S., Henderson, C.W., 2002, p. 1). According to Kohn, et al (2002), “clinicians at all levels of our healthcare system would benefit from using the same educational materials used by the Department of Veterans Affairs, one of the organizations with the most PTSD experience” (p.1).

Post traumatic stress disorder is a serious medical disorder, but is treatable. Classification of comorbidity with other disorders could prove to be a key in treatment. I have included a checklist for determining PTSD from the Anxiety Disorders Association of America.

e event. Extreme anxiety and a feeling of detachment from oneself further characterize PTSD. These feelings can persist for month or years after the traumatic event and may not begin until months after (Nevid & Greene, 2001, p. 89-166).

Some topics in this essay:
Abashidze Jimerson, JR McQuaid, Veterans Affairs, PTSD McQuaid, PTSD Maes, , Therapy EMDR, Nevid Greene, Nefazodone Serzone, PTSD DSM-IV, et al, et al 2001, al 2001, traumatic event, ptsd symptoms, symptoms ptsd, maes et, mittal et al, stress disorder, mittal et, maes et al, yehuda ed 1999, traumatic experience, ed 1999, post-traumatic stress disorder,