Psychiatria pre prax 3/2015

New definition of posttraumatic stress disorder by adults and children in DSM-5 and some current clinical findings

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was included in a new chapter in DSM-5. This diagnosis is defined separately for adults and for children of 6 years of age and younger. Compared to DSM-IV, the criterion of affective reaction to trauma was excluded, there is no distinction between its acute and chronic form, an a specification was introduced with or without dissociative symptoms. Some epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects are discused.

Keywords: trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, DSM-5, diagnosis, therapy, psychotherapy.