Post-traumatic stress disorder: History and diagnosis

Abstract

This is the first of two articles on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), covering its history and diagnosis. Both articles should be seen as a resource to enable the reader to obtain a firm understanding of the history, diagnosis, co-morbidity and current knowledge on evidence-based care of PTSD. The articles are aimed at a wide audience to include students of the health and social care professions and others working in the voluntary sector. They may also be helpful to more experienced professionals who wish to refresh their knowledge and to those in the legal professions. After reading this, reviewing the literature and reflecting on your practice you will be able to: describe the nature of the traumatic event necessary for PTSD diagnosis and describe four symptom clusters that define PTSD.