The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) criteria for diagnosing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) include several key components, summarized into four major symptom clusters: intrusion, avoidance, negative alterations in cognition and mood, and alterations in arousal and reactivity. Here’s an outline of the DSM-5 criteria for PTSD:

1. Exposure to a traumatic event:
   • The person must have been exposed to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. This exposure can happen in one or more of the following ways:
     • Directly experiencing the traumatic event.
     • Witnessing the traumatic event in person.
     • Learning that the traumatic event happened to a close family member or friend.
     • Experiencing repeated or extreme exposure to aversive details of the traumatic event (e.g., first responders or police officers repeatedly exposed to the aftermath of trauma).
2. Intrusion symptoms (at least one required):
   • Recurrent, involuntary, and distressing memories of the traumatic event.
   • Recurrent distressing dreams related to the traumatic event.
   • Dissociative reactions (e.g., flashbacks) where the person feels or acts as though the event is happening again.
   • Intense or prolonged psychological distress at exposure to internal or external cues that resemble an aspect of the traumatic event.
   • Marked physiological reactions to reminders of the traumatic event.
3. Avoidance symptoms (at least one required):
   • Avoiding distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings associated with the traumatic event.
   • Avoiding external reminders (people, places, conversations, activities) that arouse memories of the traumatic event.
4. Negative alterations in cognition and mood (at least two required):
   • Inability to remember important aspects of the traumatic event (dissociative amnesia).
   • Persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs or expectations about oneself, others, or the world (e.g., “I am bad,” “The world is completely dangerous”).
   • Persistent, distorted blame of self or others for causing the trauma.
   • Persistent negative emotional state (e.g., fear, horror, anger, guilt, shame).
   • Markedly diminished interest or participation in significant activities.
   • Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others.
   • Persistent inability to experience positive emotions (e.g., happiness, love).
5. Alterations in arousal and reactivity (at least two required):
   • Irritable behavior and angry outbursts (with little or no provocation).
   • Reckless or self-destructive behavior.
   • Hypervigilance.
   • Exaggerated startle response.
   • Problems with concentration.
   • Sleep disturbances (e.g., difficulty falling or staying asleep).
6. Duration:
   • Symptoms must persist for more than one month.
7. Functional significance:
   • The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
8. Exclusion:
   • The disturbance is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., medication, alcohol) or another medical condition.

Additionally, PTSD may have two subtypes:

• Dissociative subtype: This includes symptoms of depersonalization (feeling detached from one’s own body) or derealization (feeling that the world is unreal).
• Delayed onset: The full diagnostic criteria are not met until at least six months after the trauma.

DSM Cover image source:

By https://www.washington.edu/news/2014/03/28/documents-that-changed-the-world-mental-disorder-diagnostic-manual-1952/, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61363721