Posttraumatic Stress

Posttraumatic Stress

DSM-IV-TR indicators

1. Stressor
2. A person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event
3. The person develops intense fear, feelings of helplessness or horror
4. In children, agitation or confusion manifests (HHS, 2009)
5. Re-experiencing
6. Distressing flashbacks
7. Recurring dreams of the traumatic event
8. In children, aspects of the trauma manifest in play, scary dreams without noticeable content
9. Avoidance
10. Attempts to avoid activities, locations or people associated with the traumatic event
11. Feelings of detachment from others
12. In children, play is constricted, social withdrawal occurs
13. Increased arousal
14. sleep problems
15. irritability
16. In children, intense temper tantrums manifest (National Center for PTSD, n.d.).
17. Duration
18. distressing flashbacks persist for more than 4 weeks
19. avoidance of certain activities, locations or people associated with the trauma persists for more than 4 weeks

References

National Center for PTSD, (n.d.). PTSD for children 6 years and younger. Retrieved from             https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/PTSD-overview/ptsd_children_6_and younger.asp

U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (2009). Substance abuse treatment: Addressing the

            specific needs of women. Rockville: Diane Publishing.