GFW PTSD Home  | Site Map  | Site Search   
Gift From Within - PTSD Questions & Answers with Frank Ochberg, M.D.


PTSD:
Complex/Chronic PTSD:
PTSD Symptoms:
PTSD/PTSI Insomnia:
Relationships:
Caregivers/Partners with PTSD:
Childhood Abuse:
Work Issues:
Recovery:
Therapy:
Veterans & PTSD:
Professionals:
Other Conditions:

PTSD Questions & Answers
with
Joyce Boaz & Dr. Frank Ochberg, M.D.

Read "Survivor Psalm" by Frank Ochberg

search this site the web

site search by freefind

Search FAQ pages (use FAQ in your search string)

PTSD Symptoms: Chronic PTSD.

Q: Dear Frank:

A support pal wants to know if Is it possible for a person with a more chronic form of PTSD to display most of the symptoms in the basic PTSD criteria; and have those symptoms vary over the course of time? For instance, be more numb and dissociative and then over time become more hyperaroused? (covering most of the symptoms over time?)

A: Dear Joyce:

Yes! In fact, the early descriptions of Rape Trauma Syndrome included just that phenomenon. A survivor might begin in a state of numb withdrawal, lasting weeks or months, and then seem to thaw out and move to a phase of anger and rage. Or the opposite sequence would occur.

We have created the PTSD diagnosis with certain requirements, but these requirements can be interpreted with some flexibility. Technically, to give the diagnosis, a survivor must show some of each category of symptoms in a given month. The three categories are (1) memories or re-experiencing that comes back in a forceful, disturbing and unwanted way; (2) numbing and avoidance; (3) heightened anxiety and arousal, including irritability and anger.

So if you go for months with only category One and Two, and then you go for months with only category One and Three, you would be, technically, in remission from PTSD, or in partial PTSD. But I, for one, would say you fit the diagnosis and were a candidate for care.

Was this helpful to you?
If so, please consider supporting our work.

top


Article Index:

Addiction | Adoption | Auto Accidents | Chaplains, Police, EMT | Childhood & Adult Sexual Victimization | Compassion Fatigue
Culture, Race, and Ethnicity | Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault | Grief | Journalists, Survivors, and the Media
Male Sexual Abuse & Domestic Violence | Partners & Families | PTSD Treatment & Recovery | PTSD and Health
PTSD and Workplace Issues | Recovery & Self Help | Resiliency | School Disasters
Spirituality & Trauma | Survivor Guilt | Trauma Responses in the Aftermath of Disasters | Veterans & Their Families


Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Home Page | Site Map | Articles | Webcasts | Order Form | DVDs on PTSD and Trauma | Q&A with Dr. Ochberg
PTSD Etiquette: Finding The Right Words | Meditations | Support Pals Humor Grab Bag
Support Pals Share Inspirational Stories | Support Pals Share Favorite Healing Ideas | Support Pals Book Reviews
Support Pals Finding A Therapist | Support Pals Talk About Living With PTSD | Support Pals Favorite Books & Music
Support Pals Discuss: What PTSD Means To Me | Military Family Resources | Support Groups | Internet Links | Retreats & Respites
Conferences, Workshops and Seminars | PTSD & Trauma Bookstore | Poetry | Art | Music | Survivor Psalm | Memory Shouldn't Be...
Mission Statement | What People Are Saying | Support GFW | Frank Ochberg's Bio | Joyce Boaz's Bio | Board Members | Contact Us
Awards | Band of Angels | What's New | View Our PSAs | Site Search | Guestbook


Copyright © 1995 - 2020 Gift from Within,Camden, Maine 04843
html Conversion Copyright © 1995 - 2020 SourceMaine, Belfast, Maine 04915
Content may not be reproduced on websites without express permission. Please link instead.

Page created on 20 June 2012
Last updated by on 15 May 2019