PTSD Vignette Essay

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vignette I have experienced a traumatic event and do have some symptoms; however, my presentation is not consistent with the diagnostic criteria in the DSM -- 5 (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013). Therefore, I do not have PTSD; or at least at this point I do not qualify for a formal diagnosis of PTSD. There are a couple of reasons for this:

First, at this point I have experienced a traumatic event (criterion A). Following the event I have had a nightmare, some flashbacks, and some autonomic nervous system symptoms such as increased respiration and dizziness. So there are two intrusion symptoms (flashbacks and nightmares; criterion B), and some anxiety -- related type symptoms such as heavy breathing and feeling dizzy which appear to be best satisfied by criterion E (APA, 2013). Some of the diagnostic criteria for PTSD such as criterion C (avoidance), criterion D (negative alterations of cognition) are not met or at least not addressed (APA, 2013).

Second and most importantly, criterion F. And criterion G. do not yet appear to be satisfied. For instance, there is no information on whether or not the symptoms are causing me significant distress or impairment in my functioning (criterion G; APA, 2013). However, even if I had symptoms that were covered by all of the criteria A through E, because the duration of the symptoms is only a few days and not more than a month the individual cannot be diagnosed with PTSD at this time (criterion F; APA, 2013).

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Thus, no matter what my presentation is a few days after the traumatic experience I could not be formally diagnosed with PTSD.

The onset and duration of the symptoms could make one believe that I might qualify for a diagnosis of acute stress disorder; however, again there are not enough symptoms described here for a formal diagnosis of acute stress disorder to be made (in order to be diagnosed with acute stress disorder there must be nine or more symptoms from any of or all of five different categories; APA, 2013). There is a strong relationship between the onset of PTSD symptoms immediately following a traumatic experience and a later diagnosis of acute stress disorder or PTSD (APA, 2013). However, the research literature also indicates that most of the people who witness or experience a very traumatic event have similar symptoms and yet do not develop a psychiatric disorder such as PTSD (Ozer, Best, Lipsey, & Weiss, 2008). Thus, at this point it would be pertinent for me to talk to someone regarding how I'm feeling and have a mental health professional or counselor and follow me for short period of time. The majority of cases such as this one typically resolve over time (Resick, Monson,….....

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"PTSD Vignette" (2015, April 18) Retrieved June 4, 2026, from
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