Research Exercise New Criteria for PTSD Diagnosis in the DSM-5

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You must read each slide, and complete any questions on the slide, in sequence.

Research Exercise

New Criteria for PTSD Diagnosis in the DSM-5

The criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) changed substantially from the DSM-IV-TR to the DSM-5. PTSD was reclassified as a disorder of trauma and stress in which an individual continues to feel elevated levels of anxiety and fear after a traumatic event has ceased. In light of the change, some researchers and clinicians have expressed concern regarding the effects of the reclassification and criteria changes on men and women in the armed services. Studies conducted at the Walter Reed Army Institute for Research found some concerning issues when considering these changes. Dr. Charles Hoge of Walter Reed conducted one of the first studies to directly compare the original DSM-IV-TR and DSM-5 criteria checklists in a sample of infantry soldiers.

After reading the summary of “Reclassification of PTSD Diagnosis Potentially Excludes Soldiers Diagnosed under Previous Criteria”, consider the questions below. Then submit your responses.

1 of 5

There are currently how many symptoms associated with the new criteria for PTSD?

2 of 5

According to the article, what percentage of soldiers who met diagnostic criteria for PTSD under the DSM-IV-TR would not meet the DSM-5 criteria?

3 of 5

According to the article, what percentage of soldiers meeting DSM-5 PTSD criteria would not have met the criteria in the DSM-IV-TR?

4 of 5

What could be an unintended consequence for military men and women if they do not meet the current DSM-5 PTSD criteria but are instead diagnosed with an adjustment disorder?

One possible answer might be that under military regulations those soldiers might not be entitled to benefits or might be put on unpaid administrative leave.

5 of 5

From this article, have more soldiers been diagnosed with PTSD under the reclassification in DSM-5?

Roughly the same percentage of soldiers met criteria for PTSD according to the two definitions, but the two PTSD definitions did not identify the same individuals.

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