ICD10 criteria for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
1. The patient must have been exposed to a stressful event or situation (either short or long lasting) of exceptionally threatening or catastrophic nature which would likely cause pervasive distress in almost anyone.
2. There must be persistent remembering or reliving of the stressor in intrusive flashbacks, vivid memories or recurring dreams, or in experiencing distress when exposed to circumstances resembling or associated with the stressor.
3. The patient must exhibit an actual or preferred avoidance of circumstances resembling or associated with the stressor.
4. Either of the following must be present-:
- Inability to recall either partially or completely some important aspect of the period of exposure to the stressor, OR
- Persistent symptoms of increased psychological sensitivity and arousal shown by any two of the following:
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Irritability or outbursts of anger
- Difficulty concentrating
- Hypervigilance
- Exaggerated startle response
Criteria 2, 3 and 4 must all arise within 6 months of the period of stress. The diagnostic guidelines show that the disorder should only be diagnosed after six months if the symptoms are typical and do not constitute one of the other psychiatric diagnoses such as phobic conditions, other anxiety disorders, depression etc.
Reaction to extreme stress unspecified
If not all of the criteria are met the diagnosis of "reaction to extreme stress, unspecified" may be a more appropriate label. However the criterion of the presence of the extreme stressor must be fulfilled
Amended June 2008
