Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders

Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders is a diagnostic grouping new to DSM-5, in recognition of the specific etiological factor of trauma or stress exposure. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop following exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence, and includes symptoms across four clusters: intrusions (e.g., unwanted and intrusive memories or images), avoidance (e.g., avoidance of people, places, or things that serve as reminders of the trauma), alterations in cognitions or mood (e.g., anhedonia, numbness, exaggerated negative beliefs about oneself, others or the world), and arousal (e.g., hypervigilance, irritable/angry behavior). PTSD is associated with family and relational distress; social, educational, and occupational impairment; comorbid psychiatric and physical conditions; and high economic costs and medical utilization. Effective treatments include cognitive behavioral therapies (e.g., exposure-based therapies) and pharmacotherapy (e.g., paroxetine and sertraline).