To get checked for PTSD, start by seeing your primary care doctor to discuss trauma and symptoms, who may then refer you to a mental health specialist (like a psychologist or psychiatrist) for a detailed assessment using interviews, self-report questionnaires (like the PCL-5), and diagnostic criteria to see if symptoms significantly disrupt your life for over a month.
For physical health problems, this could include labs (like bloodwork), tests (like an x-ray, scan or biopsy) or a physical exam. For PTSD, an assessment includes answering questions about your thoughts, feelings and behaviors. PTSD is most often diagnosed, or confirmed, by a mental health provider.
The 5 core signs of PTSD fall into categories: Re-experiencing (flashbacks, nightmares), Avoidance (staying away from reminders), Negative Changes in Mood & Cognition (guilt, detachment, loss of interest), Changes in Arousal & Reactivity (hypervigilance, easily startled, irritability), and sometimes Physical Symptoms like chronic pain or headaches, all stemming from a trauma, though the exact symptoms vary.
To diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder, your healthcare professional likely will do a: Physical exam to check for medical problems that may be causing your symptoms. Mental health evaluation that includes talking about your symptoms and the trauma that led up to them.
Talking therapies. If you have PTSD that requires treatment, talking therapies are usually recommended first. A combination of a talking therapy and medicine may be recommended if you have severe or persistent PTSD. A GP can refer you to an NHS talking therapies service or, in some cases, a specialist clinic.
PTSD flashbacks are often triggered by things that remind the person of the traumatic event they experienced. These triggers can be external, such as sights, sounds, smells, or locations that are associated with the trauma.
People with PTSD have intense and intrusive thoughts and feelings related to the experience that last long after the event. PTSD involves stress responses like: Anxiety, depressed mood, or feelings of guilt or shame. Having flashbacks or nightmares.
We look at some of these conditions in more detail below.
PTSD is diagnosed by a psychiatrist through a mental health assessment. Your GP should carry out an initial assessment to decide what care you need. Your assessment should include information about your physical needs, mental needs, social needs, and risk.
Criteria for Diagnosis
To receive a diagnosis of PTSD, a person must have at least one re-experiencing symptom, at least three avoidance symptoms, at least two negative alterations in mood and cognition, and at least two hyperarousal symptoms for a minimum of one month.
Aggressive behaviors also include complaining, "backstabbing," being late or doing a poor job on purpose, self-blame, or even self-injury. Many people with PTSD only use aggressive responses to threat. They are not able to use other responses that could be more positive.
10 ways to relax when you have PTSD
Difficulty controlling emotions.
It's common for someone suffering from C-PTSD to lose control over their emotions, which can manifest as explosive anger, persistent sadness, depression, and suicidal thoughts. They may feel like they're living in a dream or have trouble feeling happy.
Changes in arousal and reactivity: People with PTSD may describe being irritable and having angry outbursts, behaving recklessly or in a self-destructive way, being overly watchful of their surroundings in a suspecting way, being easily startled, or having problems concentrating or sleeping.
In addition to the symptoms that accompany PTSD, changes occur in the body at the level of cells and molecules, some of which can be identified from within blood.
How is PTSD diagnosed? Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and whether you have experienced any trauma, and if necessary, work with you to build a mental health treatment plan. This is a plan that maps out your treatment goals and includes the services and resources available to you.
For some, reactions continue and are severe. PTSD symptoms usually appear soon after trauma. For most people, these symptoms go away on their own within the first few weeks and months after the trauma. For some, the symptoms can last for many years, especially if they go untreated.
Trauma Response (The 4 F's – Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn)
Who Is Licensed to Provide Psychotherapy for PTSD?
Most people who go through traumatic events may have a hard time adjusting and coping for a short time. But with time and by taking good care of themselves, they usually get better. If the symptoms get worse, last for months or years, and affect their ability to function daily, they may have PTSD .
abuse, including childhood or domestic abuse. exposure to traumatic events at work, including remote exposure. serious health problems, such as being admitted to intensive care. childbirth experiences, such as losing a baby.
To be diagnosed with PTSD, an adult must have all of the following for at least 1 month:
Common mental health effects of untreated PTSD include:
Social isolation, typically due to emotional numbing. Sleep disturbances, including nightmares and insomnia. Cognitive issues, such as difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and impaired decision-making. Increased risk of self-harm or suicidal thoughts.
The four main antidepressants effective for treating PTSD are sertraline (Zoloft®), paroxetine (Paxil®), fluoxetine (Prozac®)—all SSRIs—and venlafaxine (Effexor®), an SNRI. Additionally, three antipsychotic drugs are used to help treat PTSD: olanzapine, quetiapine, and risperidone.