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Posttraumatic and Acute Stress Disorders pp 9–34Cite as

Recognizing, Diagnosing, and Assessing PTSD

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Abstract

This chapter begins by discussing the main characteristics of PTSD and goes on to present the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for the disorder. Each symptom is discussed in detail with illustrative examples. Practical advice is offered regarding strategies for conducting the initial clinical interview, identifying risk factors, and using standardized assessment instruments to assist in diagnostic evaluation. Given the importance of distinguishing PTSD from comorbid and other disorders, there is a discussion of how to differentiate PTSD from coexisting (comorbid) disorders as well as from other conditions that may develop in an individual who has been exposed to a traumatic event.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, VT, USA

    Matthew J. Friedman

  2. Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology & Toxicology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA

    Matthew J. Friedman

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  1. Matthew J. Friedman
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© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Friedman, M.J. (2015). Recognizing, Diagnosing, and Assessing PTSD. In: Posttraumatic and Acute Stress Disorders. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15066-6_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15066-6_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-15065-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-15066-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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