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Posttraumatic Stress Disorder > Diagnosis Author: Jeffrey P. Staab, MD, MS
Editorial changes - 2008-08-26
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Rationale:

  • PTSD is a diagnosis made by clinical history; patients must have a history of traumatic stress exposure followed by four different types of posttraumatic stress symptoms.

Evidence:

  • Four types of posttraumatic stress symptoms have been identified using factor analytic techniques. The breadth and intensity of symptoms separates PTSD from less severe posttraumatic stress reactions. Time frames for acute and chronic PTSD are based on naturalistic studies. (14).

Comments:

  • A systematic approach is needed to detect PTSD effectively.
FAQs
Jeffrey P. Staab, MD, MS, is a consultant for Eli Lilly, Forest Laboratories, received honorarium from Abbott Laboratories, received grants from GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer. Michael Roy, MD, editorial consultant, received honorarium from PFizer.

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