Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is one of the most widely discussed but frequently misunderstood mental health conditions. In her enlightening video, retired psychotherapist and author Caryn Hacker-Buechel breaks down the six essential diagnostic criteria that mental health professionals use to identify PTSD.
Whether you or someone you love has experienced trauma, understanding these six components can shed light on what PTSD really is—and how healing begins.
What Is PTSD?
PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a serious accident, war, natural disaster, sexual assault, or abuse. But trauma is not limited to those experiences—it can include any overwhelming event that shakes a person’s sense of safety and control.
In the video, Caryn explains that to officially receive a PTSD diagnosis, six criteria must be present. Let’s break them down:
1. The Triggering Event (Criterion A)
The first and most essential component is exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. This can happen in several ways:
- Directly experiencing the traumatic event
- Witnessing the event as it happens to others
- Learning that the traumatic event occurred to a close family member or friend
- Repeated or extreme exposure to traumatic details (such as first responders hearing about child abuse cases)
This sets the foundation for the PTSD diagnosis. Without this triggering event, PTSD is not the appropriate diagnosis—even if symptoms are similar.
2. Intrusive Symptoms (Criterion B)
People with PTSD often express re-experiencing symptoms that interrupt daily life:
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Distressing memories
- Emotional or physical distress when reminded of the trauma
These symptoms often feel uncontrollable and can lead to significant distress or dysfunction.
3. Avoidance (Criterion C)
To cope with the overwhelming emotions and reminders of the trauma, individuals may go to great lengths to avoid:
- Thoughts or feelings related to the trauma
- People, places, activities, or conversations that bring the trauma to mind
Avoidance is a protective behavior—but over time, it can hinder healing and deepen emotional isolation.
4. Negative Alterations in Mood or Cognition (Criterion D)
Trauma changes how a person views themselves, the world, and others. This criterion includes:
- Persistent negative beliefs (“I’m broken,” “The world is dangerous”)
- Blame (of self or others)
- Inability to experience positive emotions
- Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others
- Memory gaps related to the trauma
These shifts can deeply affect relationships, self-worth, and overall well-being.
5. Alterations in Arousal and Reactivity (Criterion E)
This criterion refers to changes in physical and emotional reactions, such as:
- Irritability or angry outbursts
- Reckless or self-destructive behavior
- Hypervigilance
- Exaggerated startle response
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep disturbances
These reactions are the body’s attempt to stay on high alert after experiencing actual or perceived danger—and they often persist long after the threat has passed.
6. Duration, Impact, and Exclusion (Criterion F, G & H)
- The symptoms must last more than one month
- They must cause significant distress or impair social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning
- The symptoms cannot be due to substances, medication, or another medical condition
Only when aspects of each criteria are met does a clinician give a PTSD diagnosis.
Why This Matters
As Caryn emphasizes, trauma is a deeply human experience—and many people live with the effects of trauma without even knowing how to name it. By understanding the six criteria, we gain insight, compassion, and the power to seek or offer appropriate support.
Mental health diagnoses aren’t labels—they’re tools for healing.
More Than a Diagnosis: A Path to Healing
Caryn Hacker-Buechel draws on 30+ years of experience as a psychotherapist, and her passion for helping others extends into her fiction. Her novel, The General’s Princess, weaves PTSD into the lives of its characters with authenticity and heart. Through storytelling, she gives voice to those who live with trauma and shows that healing is always possible—even when it feels far away.
Watch the Video
🎥 Watch Now: Understanding PTSD: The 6 Criteria Explained
Final Thoughts
Understanding PTSD is the first step to breaking the stigma and creating a path to recovery. Caryn’s compassionate explanation helps demystify the diagnosis and reminds us all that trauma does not define us—our resilient ability to heal does.
Explore More:
📘 Read the novel inspired by real emotional truths: The General’s Princess
💬 Follow Caryn Hacker-Buechel for more insights on trauma, healing, and mental health
🌐 Learn more about PTSD at NIMH.gov