How to Get a PTSD Diagnosis

How is PTSD Diagnosed?

Though it may seem difficult to know how to diagnose PTSD, rest assured that there is a system in place. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) details the specific requirements that must be met before diagnosing PTSD is possible.

As outlined in the DSM-5, 8 criteria are considered to make a PTSD diagnosis. The following is an overview of those clinical standards.

DSM-5 Criteria for PTSD

The DSM-5 is a manual used by doctors to diagnose mental disorders accurately and consistently. It’s a doctor’s first step towards making a mental health diagnosis so an effective treatment plan can be put together.

Criterion A: Stressor

Post-traumatic stress disorder results from exposure to a traumatic event. You must have either experienced a traumatic situation yourself or witnessed it happening to someone else. Some examples of stressors that could lead to PTSD include:

• Severe injury
• An automotive accident
• Physical violence
• Sexual assault
• Death or a near-death experience
• War
• Witnessing a violent act

PTSD could also result from repeated exposure to traumatic events. Some examples of PTSD from emotional abuse or trauma exposure include soldiers watching people die daily in battle, sustaining a long-term abusive relationship, first responders collecting body parts, or social workers who are constantly subjected to the horrors of child abuse cases.

Criterion B: Intrusion symptoms

Intrusion symptoms can result from repetitive or persistent exposure to a traumatic event that occurred in the past. You may experience involuntary, recurrent, and intrusive thoughts of the traumatic memory. You might have nightmares based on the details of what you experienced. You may have flashbacks during the daytime and feel that the event is happening all over again. PTSD sufferers may begin re-experiencing symptoms that they had after witnessing a traumatic situation.

Criterion C: Avoidance symptoms

Avoidance is common in PTSD. For example, you may go out of your way to avoid any distressing memories or reminders of the traumatic memory. You might try to avoid feelings, thoughts, people, conversations, objects, places, situations, or anything else that (even subconsciously) reminds you of your experience.

Criterion D: Negative mood changes

According to the DSM-5, a PTSD diagnosis requires negative changes in cognition and mood. These cognitive and mood symptoms would have to begin after the event, and they will continue to worsen. Symptoms could include an inability to remember key details about the trauma exposure, dissociative amnesia, or increased use of alcohol and illicit substances. Some people also experience a persistently distorted worldview and have low expectations about either themself or others.

You might begin to blame others (or yourself) for causing the event you were traumatized by which may lead to angry outbursts. You may also blame yourself or someone else for any consequences that have resulted. It’s not uncommon to experience persistently negative emotions, including anger, shame, fear, guilt, or worthlessness. Many people find they lose interest in doing anything, even things that were once very enjoyable.

Feeling detached from yourself and others, like the world is moving in slow motion, isn’t uncommon. Nor is feeling estranged from others, alienated, or unable to experience valuable emotions like love, joy, and happiness.

Criterion E: Reactivity changes

A doctor might make a PTSD diagnosis if you experience changes in reactivity and arousal after a traumatic event. According to the DSM-5, you’ll have at least two of the following reactivity symptoms:

• Irritability
• Aggressive behavior
• Being easily startled
• Difficulty concentrating
• Self-destructive behavior
• Disturbed sleeping habits
• Feeling like danger is everywhere

Criterion F: Duration of symptoms

The persistence of symptoms is a key marker of PTSD. To get a PTSD diagnosis, you’ll have had Diagnostic Criteria B, C, D, and E symptoms for at least one month.

Criterion G: Functional impairment

You must be experiencing impairment in your life that stems from the stressor to be diagnosed with PTSD. This could be at work, home, or in your social life.

Criterion H: Exclusion

For an accurate diagnosis to be made, your PTSD symptoms must not be caused by substance abuse, illness, or any medications you take.

Now that we understand the criteria necessary to get a diagnosis, let’s review what the DSM-5 requires from each category. You must meet:

• Criterion A: Stressors
• At least 1 symptom (or more) from Criterion B: Intrusion
• At least 1 symptom (or more) from Criterion C: Avoidance
• At least 2 symptoms (or more) from Criterion D: Negative mood changes
• At least 2 symptoms (or more) from Criterion E: Reactivity changes
• Criterion F: At least one month duration of symptoms
• Criterion G: Impairment to daily life
• Criterion H: Must not be caused by substance abuse, illness, or medications

There are additional diagnostic tests that mental health professionals sometimes use when diagnosing PTSD to help them gain a better understanding of whether or not you have the condition.

Tests That Diagnose PTSD

Aside from meeting the PTSD diagnostic criteria above, a doctor will also want to complete a physical examination to check for any underlying medical problems that might contribute to your symptoms. If you’re wondering how to get diagnosed with PTSD, you may be asked to undergo a comprehensive psychological evaluation. All of the information gathered will allow a doctor to make a full, complete diagnosis.

Psych Evaluation

Results from a psychological evaluation will help rule out other possible causes for your PTSD-like symptoms. During the psych evaluation, you’ll be able to speak with a mental health professional and openly discuss the details of the traumatic experience you endured. This can help determine what might be causing the symptoms you have. With the help of a professional, you’ll likely be able to center in on the specific trigger for your symptoms.

Speak openly during this evaluation and use the opportunity to allow your doctor to understand you on a deeper level. This is key to developing the most effective PTSD treatment program so you can alleviate your symptoms in the long term. The more you open up about your symptoms, the more accurate the diagnosis will be from your healthcare provider. They can help you determine the type of PTSD you have and your best treatment option(s).

At Talkspace, you can connect with online mental health professionals for a PTSD diagnosis and a customized treatment plan. Our approach simplifies access to care, removing common barriers to getting help for PTSD.

How to Get a PTSD Diagnosis through Talkspace

If you think you exhibit symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a Talkspace provider can evaluate you and, if appropriate, issue a diagnosis. Simply answer a few questions online about yourself and your symptoms, then we’ll connect with a licensed provider for an assessment. 

Talkspace makes it affordable to receive diagnosis and treatment for PTSD, with online therapy and psychiatry plans that take insurance. Your specific insurance company and health plan will determine your coverage and copays, but covered members typically have a copay of about $25, often less. If your insurance doesn’t cover Talkspace, check with your employer to see if they pay for our mental health services directly (many do), use an FSA/HSA card, or pay out-of-pocket at a cost that’s less than most in-person providers.

Here’s how it works:

1. Get started any time by answering a few questions on the Talkspace website or app.
2. You’ll be connected with a therapist within about two days or a psychiatric provider within about a week. 
3. If you choose therapy you can message with your therapist as much as you like and also schedule live sessions. If you choose psychiatry you’ll schedule a live video session with your psychiatric provider.

Online therapy provides support for managing PTSD through ongoing conversations, while online psychiatry usually involves a prescription for medication and ongoing medication management. (Please note: Talkspace does not prescribe controlled substances but does prescribe non-stimulant medications for ADHD in some cases.)

What to Do if You Get Diagnosed With PTSD

Getting diagnosed with PTSD can be a complex process. Even though mental health professionals understand how to diagnose PTSD, the process is multifaceted and can often take a long time, especially if you have complex PTSD. It’s important to rule out all other possible causes for your symptoms before beginning PTSD treatment. Additional conditions that could cause overlapping symptoms with PTSD include:

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Acute stress disorder
• Adjustment disorder
• Major depression
• Substance abuse
• Panic disorder

If you or a loved one have recently received a PTSD diagnosis and are struggling to manage the symptoms or how to treat PTSD, there are several ways you can find the help you need.

• Therapy for PTSD: Multiple talk therapy techniques are known to be effective treatments for PTSD. One popular form of talk therapy used is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Other effective techniques include eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, and stress inoculation training.
• Consider medication: Medication might be an option to consider when coming up with a treatment plan for PTSD. In addition to therapy, medication can be effective in helping you control your thought processes and reduce or eliminate flashbacks and nightmares. Some of the common types of PTSD medications include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), anti-anxiety medications, Alpha-1 blockers, and mood stabilizers.
• Learn more: They say knowledge is power, and this is true when it comes to a PTSD diagnosis. Understanding more about the mental health condition allows you to learn effective coping techniques that can help you manage your symptoms.
• Find a support group: Sometimes, just knowing there are like-minded people who understand what you’re going through can make all the difference in the world. Support groups can be instrumental in your ability to manage PTSD.
• Meditate: Mindfulness meditation for PTSD is both effective and easy to implement into your life. If you’ve never meditated before, a simple guided app is a great way to begin the process. Research shows that meditation can target and address many of the core features of PTSD.
• Try acupuncture: The ancient practice of acupuncture has been shown to be a safe, effective treatment option for healing from PTSD naturally. Because it has a potential effect on the prefrontal and limbic brain structures, as well as the nervous system, it’s believed that acupuncture can relieve PTSD symptoms.
• Massage therapy: Massage can be both calming and effective at eliminating some of the stress symptoms associated with PTSD.
• Yoga: Yoga is a great way to focus and control your mind, which can be helpful when dealing with stress and anxiety that’s common with PTSD. Not to mention, you’ll get some great health benefits as well.
• Art and music therapy: Recent studies have shown that when combined with traditional methods like cognitive behavioral therapy, more creative modalities, like art therapy, can be an effective option to treat PTSD.

Getting diagnosed with PTSD can be frightening, but it’s important to know that a diagnosis can be the beginning, not the end. Once you know you have it, you’re ready to take the next steps and begin finding effective treatment options. If you’re experiencing symptoms and want to learn more, take a PTSD test to get started.