ICD 10   Post-traumatic Stress disorder

Diagnostic Criteria 

A. Exposure to a stressful event or situation (either short or long lasting) of exceptionally threatening or catastrophic nature, which is likely to cause pervasive distress in almost anyone.

B. Persistent remembering or “reliving” the stressor by intrusive flash backs, vivid memories, recurring dreams, or by experiencing distress when exposed to circumstances resembling or associated with the stressor.

C. Actual or preferred avoidance of circumstances resembling or associated with the stressor (not present before exposure to the stressor)

D. Either (1) or (2):

1) Inability to recall, either partially or completely, some important aspects of the period of exposure to the stressor

2) Persistent symptoms of increased psychological sensitivity and arousal (not present before exposure to the stressor) shown by any two of the following:

  • difficulty in falling or staying asleep;
  • irritability or outbursts of anger;
  • difficulty in concentrating;
  • hyper-vigilance;
  • exaggerated startle response

E. Criteria B, C (For some purposes, onset delayed more than six months may be included but this should be clearly specified separately).