PTSD
DSM 5: One Can Develop PTSD without Experiencing Trauma
According to the DSM 5, one no longer needs to experience a trauma, but only to have learned about a trauma, to develop PTSD. Field researchers have found that some children, who came from good and trauma free homes, have demonstrated symptoms of PTSD.
This occurs in instances where a child’s parents experienced a trauma and processed the trauma in front of the child.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Childhood Onset
The child, under 12, has experienced, witnessed, or learned about the following:
- Death
- Serious Injury
- Sexual Violation
- Violent Accident
This experience was not from television, the Internet, or other electronic means. The experience / learning was introduced via a close interpersonal relationship.
For example, after World War II, survivors of the holocaust processed their trauma in front of their children. Some of those children displayed symptoms of PTSD, even though they have not been in the holocaust themselves. It was at the time described as “psychological disarray,” because PTSD was not a known disorder yet (Note: PTSD was not developed until the Veitnam war, where is was created to give psychiatrists a framework to understand what was occurring in veterans who can seen combat. Prior to the DSM III, PTSD was not a diagnosis, but a combination of diagnoses).
This happened again after the 9/11 attacks.
On criticisms of the DSM 5 is that it includes 3.5 pages of diagnostic criteria for PTSD. This is of drastic length and is a major concern for critics who have pointed out that several individuals on the DSM 5 task force were PTSD researchers and may have used the DSM 5 as a vehicle to demonstrate their research concepts.
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Posttraumatic stress disorder is a crippling disease that can have negative effects on one’s relationships. Triggers may cause the affected individual to lash out at loved ones. Avoidance symptoms may cause one to dissociate and neglect relationships. Hypervigilance...
Psychologists answer common questions about PTSD
Anybody who has been exposed to a traumatic experience in some capacity can develop PTSD. Symptoms of PTSD can vary from person to person, but affected individuals typically experience hypervigilance, mood changes, and loss of concentration. PTSD can improve or...
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There is plenty of hope for healing after trauma. Trauma treatment can be divided into three levels. The first focuses on emotion regulation and symptom management. The second level is trauma-focused and involves reprocessing the trauma. The third level centers around...
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PTSD can be divided into four phases: the impact phase, the rescue phase, the intermediate recovery phase, and the long-term reconstruction phase. The impact phase encompasses initial reactions such as shock, fear, and guilt. In the rescue phase, the affected...
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