What are the usual symptoms of PTSD?
Symptoms of PTSD tend to fall into three general groups, as shown by the DSM-III-R Diagnostic Criteria for PTSD used by VA up to 11/7/96. In some cases, only one or two symptoms may be manifest for a short time. In other cases, clusters of the symptoms may persist for years. Intrusive symptoms are frequent memories or images of the trauma that intrude into the lives of the individual, through which the traumatic event is re-experienced. This can take the form of repetitive thoughts, images, and dreams. Typical symptoms may include: Depression Generalized anxiety Intrusive recall — different from normal memory in that it brings with it stress and anxiety Sudden acting or feeling as if the traumatic event were recurring (includes a sense of reliving the experience, illusions, hallucinations, and dissociated [flashback] episodes, even those that occur upon waking or when intoxicated). Recurrent and intrusive distressing recollections and/or of the event. Intense psychological distress at
