What are the core DSM-5-TR criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder?

What are the core DSM-5-TR criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder?

• A. Exposure to trauma; intrusion symptoms; persistent avoidance; negative alterations in cognitions/mood; alterations in arousal; duration >1 month; clinically significant distress or impairment.
• B. Exposure to trauma only.
• C. Symptoms last exactly two weeks.
• D. No impairment requirement.

Answer: (A)

Posttraumatic stress disorder is diagnosed when exposure to a traumatic event is followed by a pattern of symptoms across several domains that persists for more than one month and causes clinically significant distress or impairment, and cannot be explained by substances or another medical condition. The DSM-5-TR groups these symptoms into four clusters: intrusion (distressing memories, nightmares, dissociative reactions), avoidance (efforts to avoid reminders or internal cues), negative alterations in cognitions and mood (negative beliefs, distorted blame, emotional numbness), and alterations in arousal and reactivity (hypervigilance, sleep problems, irritability). In practical terms, you need at least one intrusion, at least one avoidance, at least two negative cognitions/mood symptoms, and at least two arousal symptoms, all lasting more than a month and causing distress or impairment. The option that lists exposure, the four symptom domains, the duration, and the impairment requirement best matches the DSM-5-TR criteria. Descriptions that mention only exposure, or require only a short duration, or omit impairment, miss essential elements of the diagnosis.

Posttraumatic stress disorder is diagnosed when exposure to a traumatic event is followed by a pattern of symptoms across several domains that persists for more than one month and causes clinically significant distress or impairment, and cannot be explained by substances or another medical condition. The DSM-5-TR groups these symptoms into four clusters: intrusion (distressing memories, nightmares, dissociative reactions), avoidance (efforts to avoid reminders or internal cues), negative alterations in cognitions and mood (negative beliefs, distorted blame, emotional numbness), and alterations in arousal and reactivity (hypervigilance, sleep problems, irritability). In practical terms, you need at least one intrusion, at least one avoidance, at least two negative cognitions/mood symptoms, and at least two arousal symptoms, all lasting more than a month and causing distress or impairment. The option that lists exposure, the four symptom domains, the duration, and the impairment requirement best matches the DSM-5-TR criteria. Descriptions that mention only exposure, or require only a short duration, or omit impairment, miss essential elements of the diagnosis.