HERE IS INFO FROM DBQ.
3. PTSD DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA
Please check criteria used for establishing the current PTSD diagnosis. The diagnostic criteria for PTSD, are from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders, 5th edition. (DSM-5). The stressful event can be due to combat, personal trauma, other life threatening situations (non-combat related
stressors). Do NOT mark symptoms below that are clearly not attributable to the Criterion A stressor/PTSD. Instead, overlapping symptoms clearly
attributable to other things should be noted under #6- "Other symptoms".
Criterion A: Exposure to actual or threatened a) death, b) serious injury, c) sexual violation, in one or more of the following ways:
Directly experiencing the traumatic event(s)
Witnessing, in person, the traumatic event(s) as they occurred to others
Learning that the traumatic event(s) occurred to a close family member or close friend; cases of actual or threatened death must have been violent or
accidental; or, experiencing repeated or extreme exposure to aversive details of the traumatic event(s) (e.g., first responders collecting human remains;
police officers repeatedly exposed to details of child abuse); this does not apply to exposure through electronic media, television, movies, or pictures,
unless this exposure is work related
No criterion in this section met.
Criterion B: Presence of (one or more) of the following intrusion symptoms associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning after the traumatic event(s)
occurred
Recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories of the traumatic event(s).
Recurrent distressing dreams in which the content and/or affect of the dream are related to the traumatic event(s).
Dissociative reactions (e.g., flashbacks) in which the individual feels or acts as if the traumatic event(s) were recurring. (Such reactions may occur on a
continuum, with the most extreme expression being a complete loss of awareness of present surroundings.)
Intense or prolonged psychological distress at exposure to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event(s).
Marked physiological reactions to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event(s).
No criterion in this section met.
Criterion C: Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the event(s), beginning after traumatic event(s) occurred, as evidence of one or both of the
following:
Avoidance of or efforts to avoid distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely associated with the traumatic event(s).
Avoidance of or efforts to avoid external reminders (people, places, conversations, activities, objects, situations) that arouse distressing memories,
thoughts, or feelings about or closely associated with the traumatic event(s).
No criterion in this section met.
Criterion D: Negative alterations in cognitions and mood associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning or worsening after the traumatic event(s)
occurred, as evidenced by two (or more) of the following:
Inability to remember an important aspect of the traumatic event(s) (typically due to dissociative amnesia and not to other factors such as head injury,
alcohol, or drugs).
Persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs or expectations about oneself, others, or the world (e.g., “I am bad,: “No one can be trusted,: “The world is
completely dangerous,: “My whole nervous system is permanently ruined”).
Persistent, distorted cognitions about the cause or consequences of the traumatic event(s) that lead to the individual to blame himself/herself or others.
Persistent negative emotional state (e.g., fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame).
Markedly diminished interest or participation in significant activities.
Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others.
Persistent inability to experience positive emotions (e.g., inability to experience happiness, satisfaction, or loving feelings.)
No criterion in this section met.
Criterion E: Marked alterations in arousal and reactivity associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning or worsening after the traumatic event(s)
occurred, as evidenced by two (or more) of the following:
Irritable behavior and angry outbursts (with little or no provocation) typically expressed as verbal or physical aggression toward people or objects.
Reckless or self-destructive behavior.
Hypervigilance.
Exaggerated startle response.
Problems with concentration.
Sleep disturbance (e.g., difficulty falling or staying asleep or restless sleep).
No criterion in this section met.
Criterion F:
Duration of the disturbance (Criteria B, C, D, and E) is more than 1 month.
Veteran does not meet full criteria for PTSD
Criterion G:
The PTSD symptoms described above cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
The PTSD symptoms described above do NOT cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of
functioning.
Veteran does not meet full criteria for PTSD
3. PTSD DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA
Criterion H:
The disturbance is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., medication, alcohol) or another medical condition.
No criterion in this section met.
4. SYMPTOMS
FOR VA RATING PURPOSES, CHECK ALL SYMPTOMS THAT APPLY TO THE VETERAN’S DIAGNOSES:
Depressed mood
Anxiety
Suspiciousness
Panic attacks that occur weekly or less often
Chronic sleep impairment
Mild memory loss, such as forgetting names, directions or recent events
Difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, including work or a work like setting
Inability to establish and maintain effective relationships
Suicidal ideation