Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria
Note: The following criteria apply to adults, adolescents, and children older than 6 years. For children
6 years and younger, see corresponding criteria below.
A. Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence in one (or more) of
the following ways:
1. Directly experiencing the traumatic event(s).
2. Witnessing, in person, the event(s) as it occurred to others.
3. Learning that the traumatic event(s) occurred to a close family member or close friend. In
cases of actual or threatened death of a family member or friend, the event(s) must have
been violent or accidental.
4. 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).
Note: Criterion A4 does not apply to exposure through electronic media, television, movies, or
pictures, unless this exposure is work related.
B. Presence of one (or more) of the following intrusion symptoms associated with the traumatic
event(s), beginning after the traumatic event(s) occurred:
1. Recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories of the traumatic event(s).
Note: In children older than 6 years, repetitive play may occur in which themes or aspects of
the traumatic event(s) are expressed.
2. Recurrent distressing dreams in which the content and/or affect of the dream are related
to the traumatic event(s).
Note: In children, there may be frightening dreams without recognizable content.
3. 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.)
Note: In children, trauma-specific re-enactment may occur in play.
4. Intense or prolonged psychological distress at exposure to internal or external cues that
symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event(s).
5. Marked physiological reactions to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an
aspect of the traumatic event(s).
C. Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning after the
traumatic event(s) occurred, as evidenced by one or both of the following:
1. Avoidance of or efforts to avoid distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or
closely associated with the traumatic event(s).
2. 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).
Palane Mohlala
Diagnostic Criteria
Note: The following criteria apply to adults, adolescents, and children older than 6 years. For children
6 years and younger, see corresponding criteria below.
A. Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence in one (or more) of
the following ways:
1. Directly experiencing the traumatic event(s).
2. Witnessing, in person, the event(s) as it occurred to others.
3. Learning that the traumatic event(s) occurred to a close family member or close friend. In
cases of actual or threatened death of a family member or friend, the event(s) must have
been violent or accidental.
4. 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).
Note: Criterion A4 does not apply to exposure through electronic media, television, movies, or
pictures, unless this exposure is work related.
B. Presence of one (or more) of the following intrusion symptoms associated with the traumatic
event(s), beginning after the traumatic event(s) occurred:
1. Recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories of the traumatic event(s).
Note: In children older than 6 years, repetitive play may occur in which themes or aspects of
the traumatic event(s) are expressed.
2. Recurrent distressing dreams in which the content and/or affect of the dream are related
to the traumatic event(s).
Note: In children, there may be frightening dreams without recognizable content.
3. 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.)
Note: In children, trauma-specific re-enactment may occur in play.
4. Intense or prolonged psychological distress at exposure to internal or external cues that
symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event(s).
5. Marked physiological reactions to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an
aspect of the traumatic event(s).
C. Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning after the
traumatic event(s) occurred, as evidenced by one or both of the following:
1. Avoidance of or efforts to avoid distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or
closely associated with the traumatic event(s).
2. 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).
Palane Mohlala
