Reference
Guide | Reference

60  PTSD Pattern Prototype

60.1 Summary

  • A pattern of trauma-linked intrusions, avoidance, and hyperarousal that persists and disrupts functioning.

60.2 Prototype Features

  • Re-experiencing (memories, flashbacks, nightmares).
  • Avoidance of reminders and emotional numbing.
  • Hypervigilance, startle response, or sleep disruption.

60.3 Threshold Guidance

  • Use when trauma-linked symptoms are persistent, recurrent, and impairing.

60.4 Expected Domain Profile

  • Trauma and Stress Response: moderate to high.
  • Anxiety and Threat Sensitivity: moderate.
  • Arousal, Sleep, and Circadian Regulation: mild to moderate disruption.

60.5 Time-Course and Trajectory

  • Often chronic with trigger-related spikes.
  • May fluctuate with stress exposure.

60.6 Differential and Red Flags

  • Acute stress reactions without persistence.
  • Dissociative episodes without trauma linkage.
  • Substance effects or sleep deprivation.

60.7 Specifiers (treatment-relevant, non-prescriptive)

  • Course/time pattern (chronic, trigger-linked).
  • Contributors (ongoing threat, sleep disruption).
  • Risk modifiers (self-harm risk, dissociation).

60.8 Measurement Prompts

  • Brief trauma symptom checklist.
  • Sleep and trigger log.

60.10 Documentation Snippet (1-2 lines)

  • “Trauma-linked intrusions with avoidance and hyperarousal; Trauma/Stress 3, Threat 2; chronic course.”