Diagnosis and assessment

A person needs to have been exposed to at least one trauma to receive a PTSD diagnosis. Common traumas include being exposed to  illnesses, accidentswarspandemicsdisasters, and violence. The severity of the trauma and its frequency influences the risk of developing PTSD. Whether the trauma is directly or indirectly experienced, such as being a victim of violence or witnessing violence, whether it was committed intentionally or unintentionally, and whether it was interpersonal also influences the risk.  Other influencing factors include age, sexpersonality traitssocial factors, and cognitive and psychological factors. Core symptoms of intrusion, avoidance, hyperarousal, and negative thoughts and mood need to be present for a PTSD diagnosis. Dissociation, anxiety, anger, depression, and distress may also be present.

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NeuRA Libraries

Title Colour Legend:
Green - Topic summary is available.
Orange - Topic summary is being compiled.
Red - Topic summary has no current systematic review available.