american psychiatric association definition of trauma
Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape or natural disaster. Immediately after the event, shock and denial are typical. Longer term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea. Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape or natural disaster. Immediately after the event, shock and denial are typical. Longer term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea. PTSD is included in a new chapter in DSM-5, Trauma-and Stressor-Related Disorders. For a review of the DSM-5 changes to the criteria for PTSD, see the American Psychiatric Association fact sheet on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder *. Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape or natural disaster. PTSD Criteria. PTSD is included in a new chapter in DSM-5, Trauma-and Stressor-Related Disorders. For a review of the DSM-5 changes to the criteria for PTSD, see the American Psychiatric Association fact sheet on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder *. The word “trauma” is used to describe experiences or situations that are emotionally painful and distressing, and that overwhelm people’s ability to cope, leaving them powerless. Trauma has sometimes been defined in reference to circumstances that are outside the realm of normal human experience. To celebrate the Institute of Medicine's report for the VA in support of the American Psychiatric Association's definition for PTSD in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM), a look at the current DSM-IV's definition. The current definition has it both ways by understanding PTSD as the outcome of an interaction between trauma intensity and personal vulnerability. An extreme event may be sufficient to produce PTSD in all who experience it so that personal vulnerability is not a factor. Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape or natural disaster. Diagnostic criteria for PTSD include a history of exposure to a traumatic event that meets specific stipulations and symptoms from each of four symptom clusters: intrusion, avoidance, negative alterations in cognitions and mood, and alterations in arousal and reactivity.
Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape or natural disaster. Immediately after the event, shock and denial are typical.