It’s June. Another school year is over. The kids are at camp, in the park, or at a pool. The Fourth of July is less than a week away. It’s vacation time.
June is also PTSD Awareness Month. Until I began this blog, I had never heard of PTSD Awareness Month.
I have often been struck by the alternate reality that we–as clinicians–have chosen. I am reminded of the need to balance (try to balance) patient care with self care. Yes, it’s easier said than done!
The diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) first appeared in DSM-III (1980). DSM-5 was published in May, 2013.
Allen Frances, M.D., Chair of the DSM-IV edition, suggested using the document (e.g., DSM-IV) “cautiously, if at all”. I do not recall where I found this quote, but I liked it!
Diagnosis is a useful tool: However, people are complex. They are more than their diagnosis.
DSM-5 recognizes that preschoolers are not simply little people. It has a new diagnosis for children ages 6 and under.
The National Center for PTSD has information about how DSM-5 handles the diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. Check out DSM-5 Criteria for PTSD in “adults, adolescents, and children older than 6 years”. Also check out PTSD for children 6 years and younger.
According to the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS), the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) is the “gold standard” for PTSD assessment worldwide. It is available in several languages (e.g., Bosnian).
Fortunately, another version of this instrument, the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for Children and Adolescents (CAPS-CA) is also available. It is designed for children, ages eight and up, and adolescents.
ISTSS mentions other assessments as well. Some are clinician-administered; some are self-report. Some are for adults; some are for children. Consistent with ISTSS’ international mission, some assessments besides the CAPS are in languages other than English.
The National Center for PTSD, by the way, is part of the United States Department of Veteran Affairs. During the past 30 years, a ton of work has been done on understanding and treating trauma. Much of this work has been a response to the problems of military men and women and their families.
People can, of course, be traumatized more than once. For example, someone who witnesses the death of a friend in Afghanistan can return home and have his/her house flooded.
A complete assessment will, therefore, ask about traumatic events throughout a person’s life. The inquiry may be part of the clinical interview. It may be part of the standardized measures used.
Have you done trauma-focused assessments? If so, have they been in private practice, in a clinic, or in a hospital?
What instruments did you administer? How useful were they? Would they be appropriate (as is or with modifications) for assessing those affected by Hurricane Sandy and other natural disasters?
Is this information helpful? If so, check out “Resources For Clinicians (Part 2)”.
There is room to Leave A Reply below. Please share what you know.
Feeling Safe Again 
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Thanks, Maricruz. I still have a repetitive stress injury due to too much computer use. However, I hope to get back to blogging on a regular basis.
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Thank you! I plan to write in 2014. Hopefully, Feeling Safe Again will continue to be worth your time and attention.
Each year, WordPress creates a theme named for the year itself. I saw and liked The Twenty Thirteen Theme. I use it “as is”, without customization.
I am indebted to WordPress.com for creating a quality product. (Yes, it is free).
A final note: Personal preparedness, Hurricane Sandy, and other natural disasters are anxiety-producing topics. Feeling Safe Again is a place for people to share experiences, ideas, and feelings on these topics.
Right here iis the perfect blog for anybody who wants to find out about this topic.
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One serious thought I wish to pass on: The comment section is not just for feedback on what I write.
It is for personal stories from people who have dealt with a natural disaster. It is also for questions and ideas from people preparing for a natural disaster.
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Thank you for your interest and for the positive feedback. Have you read “Resources For Clinicians (Part 2)” and “A Tip For Self-Soothing”? I think you’ll like them.
Your comment could not have been more timely. I was just thinking about writing more articles of this sort. Hopefully, I will follow up on what is now a New Year’s resolution . . .
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Dear Canada Goose–Thank you for the good wishes. Feeling Safe Again does not have an e-mail address.
I am always interested in feedback from readers. Please share your suggestions as a comment/reply. Then other readers can comment on your comment.
Feeling Safe Again helps people deal with the emotional aftermath of Hurricane Sandy and other natural disasters. If you are comfortable sharing thoughts on this topic, please do.
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You are right: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a huge topic. Our understanding of it is evolving.
Feeling Safe Again has two other articles that may interest you. Do you want to read “Resources For Clinicians (Part 2)”? If so, go to https://feelingsafeagain.com/2013/11/06/resources-for-clinicians-part-2/
Do you want to read “A Tip For Self-Soothing”? If so, go to https://feelingsafeagain.com/2013/11/12/a-tip-for-self-soothing/
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It’s the little changes that produce the most significant changes.
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I agree. It’s often “the little changes that produce the most significant changes”.
Have you read “Ten Tips for Emotional Resilience”? It discusses little and not-so-little changes that can make a difference. It’s at https://feelingsafeagain.com/2013/05/31/ten-tips-for-emotional-resilience/