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Patients who find themselves overwhelmed by feelings related to a traumatic event or series of events are encouraged to visit a physician. Early diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can help a patient recover more quickly. Some studies have indicated that people who are encouraged to talk about their experiences very soon after a traumatic event are less likely to suffer lasting symptoms associated with PTSD.

Before diagnosing PTSD, a physician will perform a complete physical examination and compile a thorough medical history. The physician will likely ask about the event that triggered symptoms and how it affected the patient. The patient will also be asked to describe the nature of symptoms, when they occur, how intense they are and how long they last. Other questions that a physician may ask patients include:

• Are they having flashbacks or nightmares?
• Do they avoid people or places that remind them of the traumatic event?
• Are they having trouble sleeping?
• Do they feel emotionally numb?
• Are they having memory problems?

The diagnostic criteria for PTSD as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders involves reports by a patient of intense fear, helplessness or horror after experiencing or witnessing events that were potentially life-threatening or that involved the threat of serious injury. Symptoms must last for more than one month and involve one or more of the following:

• Persistent reliving of the traumatic event
  
  
• Persistent avoidance of people, places or activities associated with the trauma
  
  
• Numbing of general responsiveness to life events
  
  
• Persistent symptoms of increased arousal, such as emotional outbursts or insomnia