Purchase Solution

PTSD - Diagnosis and assessment

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

1. Why is PTSD classified as an anxiety disorder, not an adjustment disorder?
2. Briefly describe the factors that contributes to the all overall stress in the your select, including psychosocial and cultural factors, temperament, etc.
3. Be sure to include you thoughts on how to could assist this client to remove the stressors or cope with them differently.

Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary

By addressing the questions, this solution explores aspects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The DSM -IV-TR diagnostic criteria for PTSD are also provided. Supplemented with an informative article on the causes, symptoms and treatments for PTSD. References are provided.

Solution Preview

Let's take a closer look. I also provide an informative article on the causes, symptoms and treatments for PTSD, some of which this response is drawn.

1. Why is PTSD classified as an anxiety disorder, not an adjustment disorder?

It is classified as an anxiety disorder because the main symptom associated in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is anxiety. Experiencing traumatic events that can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which include:

? War
? Rape
? Natural disasters
? A car or plane crash
? Kidnapping
? Violent assault
? Sexual or physical abuse
? Medical procedures (especially in kids)
(http://www.helpguide.org/mental/post_traumatic_stress_disorder_symptoms_treatment.htm).

For example, according to the DSM-IV-TR: "When an individual who has been exposed to a traumatic event develops anxiety symptoms, re-experiencing of the event, and avoidance of stimuli related to the event lasting more than four weeks, they may be suffering from this Anxiety Disorder".

2. Briefly describe the factors that contribute to the all overall stress in the (disorder?) you select, including psychosocial and cultural factors, temperament, etc.

Because this disorder is caused by a traumatic event, it crosses all cultural and socioeconomic boundaries, meaning anyone is susceptible to getting PTSD who experiences a traumatic event, which is a psychosocial event, as mentioned above (war, rape, natural disaster, etc,). According to DSM-IV-TR, symptoms are listed in order to make a diagnosis of PTSD. Specifically, the DSM-IV-TR Diagnostic criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder include:

A. The person has been exposed to a traumatic event in which both of the following were present:

(1) the person experienced, witnessed, or was confronted with an event or events that involved actual or threatened ...

Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
Positive Psychology

A quiz related to the introductory concepts of positive psychology.

Emotional Intelligence: A Beginning

An introduction to an emerging branch of Psychology-Emotional Intelligence.

Erik Erikson's Psychosocial Stages

Erik Erikson researched eight stages of psychosocial development beginning at birth and ending at death. This quiz challenges your knowledge of each stage, the corresponding age range, and the conflicts present during each stage.

Key Psychology Theories and their Developers

Match which psychologist developed and/or contributed to which theory.

Health Psychology

This quiz speaks to the general concepts, themes, and terminology associated with the field of health psychology.

View More Free Quizzes
Related BrainMass Solutions

  • Substance abuse/PTSD assessment

    •What are the strengths and weaknesses of this counselor's assessment of Pedro? •What assessment and diagnosis techniques might you have considered other than those used? •Can you support the assessment instruments used in this case study?

  • Impact of Events Scale Revised - Reliability and Validity

    In general, the IES-R (and IES) is not used to diagnosis PTSD, however, cutoff scores for a preliminary diagnosis of PTSD have been cited in the literature. Sample Item "Any reminders brought back feelings about it."

  • Test Items for PTSD

    To put this together I have utilized a host of varied sources, primarily the PTSD Diagnosis and Assessment instrument developed by the Subcommittee on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder of the Committee on Gulf War and Health (2006) due to context.

  • PTSD: Common or Misused?

    Therefore, when diagnosed with PTSD we need to evaluate the criteria to categorize this ever-changing diagnosis to assure it is not used as a dumping diagnosis for all anxiety disorders and stressful events.

  • Diagnosis and Mental Status Case Study

    Diagnosis 2: Code: -DSM-IV-TR criteria: -Examples of impairment or dysfunction: Diagnosis 3: Code: -DSM-IV-TR criteria: Examples of impairment or dysfunction: Assessment of the client's strengths, coping skills, and

  • Psychopathology and Diagnosis from a Clinical Perspective

    545961 Psychopathology and Diagnosis from a Clinical Perspective Briefly explain whether experiences of trauma always lead to the development of PTSD and explain why or why not. Then explain possible alternative client diagnoses.

  • Co-Existing Disorders

    After examining the symptoms of PTSD on CSAT & SAMSHA (2005) the main character has a working diagnosis of PTSD which led her to using substances.

  • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Evaluation

    Thus, a diagnosis for PTSD must be made with caution following DSM-IV guidelines to avoid a misdiagnosis (3) Would this diagnosis change the crisis intervention approaches used with the client?

  • Discussing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

    It can very likely be that diagnosis of PTSD is partly based on and supported cultural or social appraisal of war associated traumatic experiences.

View More Related Solutions