1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

DSM-IV
Acute Stress Disorder is distinguished from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder because the symptom pattern in Acute Stress Disorder must occur within 4 weeks of the traumatic event and resolve within that 4-week period. If the symptoms persist for more than 1 month and meet criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, the diagnosis is changed from Acute Stress Disorder to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

In Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, there are recurrent intrusive thoughts, but these are experienced as inappropriate and are not related to an experienced traumatic event. Flashbacks in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder must be distinguished from illusions, hallucinations, and other perceptual disturbances that may occur in Schizophrenia, other Psychotic Disorders, Mood Disorder With Psychotic Features, a delirium, Substance-Induced Disorders, and Psychotic Disorders Due to a General Medical Condition.

Malingering should be ruled out in those situations in which financial remuneration, benefit eligibility, and forensic determinations play a role.

Diagnostic Criteria for
309.81 Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

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 death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of self or others.

Glossary










Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OC) is a very popular diagnosis with some doctors. PTSD can easily be mistaken for OC by a clinician unfamiliar with PTSD or police work.
Substance-Induced Disorders, e.g., alcohol, can also mask a PTSD condition. Be straight with your doctor. If there is an alcohol problem, there may be PTSD symptomology at the heart of the problem.

Malingering does happen. However, there is a big difference between malingering and Avoidant behavior. If you were exposed to a trauma, and have PTSD, Avoidant behavior is a survival mechanism--it's legitimate-- regardless of ANY financial remuneration, or benefit eligibility.

This area tells the doctor what, specifically, to look for when making a diagnosis.


Witnessed, or confronted (death or injury): A daily occurrence for many officers. 		Additional commentary
Caution: I you tell your doctor that you had symptoms but they resolved "within [a] 4-week period," you could be misdiagnosed. There is a very real difference between "feeling" symptom-free and having no symptoms.








Alcohol: While many agencies frown on over consumption, more and more alcohol is being recognized as a symptom of other problems. Quite often these problems are work-related--
in these cases your agency may have the legal responsibility to fix the problem--whether or not they admit it.







Be aware: Professional demeanor, in no way guarantees immunity from the symptoms of sever shock or trauma. Good cops still get PTSD.


Mission| Home| Post Traumatic Stress Disorder-PTSD
Critical Incident Debriefing| Advanced Stress Management 

NEW Firefighter EMS Advanced Stress Workbook

Alerts
Dr. Sanders has
a new email address.
Click on the link below
for contact.

Email: TheCopdoc@comcast.net

Copyright (C) Sanders Forensic Publications, Inc. 2004-2005