Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Case Study

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Josh has recently experienced a traumatic event in the loss of his fiancé. Since then he has quit his job, and moved back in with his parents. Josh presents symptoms that are consistent with the indicators of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has various criterion including exposure to a traumatic event, experiencing intrusive symptoms, avoidance of stimuli associated with the event, negative changes in cognitions and mood, and changes in reactivity (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). To meet a PTSD diagnosis, an individual must exhibit at least nine of the fourteen symptoms within the criterion (Beidel, Frueh, & Hersen, 2014). Symptoms typically occur within the first three months of the event; however, symptoms can be delayed in expression, and the disturbance lasts at least one month. …show more content…

According to Josh, the memories have been intrusive and he frequently feels like he is relieving the event, and has nightmares multiple times a week. Josh has also shown avoidance symptoms, he began by quitting his job due to his job being next door to the cafe where he witnessed his fiancé’s death, and has since avoided that entire part of town. Josh’s mood has also changed, he has become withdrawn, and emotionally flat. In addition, he has become noticeable irritable and ‘jumpy’. He has experienced these symptoms for at least one month, and it has shown significant distress in his social and occupational

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