Editing Post-traumatic stress disorder (section)

=== Differential diagnosis ===
A diagnosis of PTSD requires that the person has been exposed to an extreme stressor. Any stressor can result in a diagnosis of [[adjustment disorder]] and it is an appropriate diagnosis for a stressor and a symptom pattern that does not meet the criteria for PTSD.

The symptom pattern for [[acute stress disorder]] must occur and be resolved within four weeks of the trauma. If it lasts longer, and the symptom pattern fits that characteristic of PTSD, the diagnosis may be changed.<ref name=DSM4 />

[[Obsessive compulsive disorder|Obsessive–compulsive disorder]] (OCD) may be diagnosed for [[intrusive thought]]s that are recurring but not related to a specific traumatic event.<ref name=DSM4 />

In extreme cases of prolonged, repeated traumatization where there is no viable chance of escape, survivors may develop [[complex post-traumatic stress disorder]].<ref name="Herman1992">{{cite journal |vauthors=Herman JL |s2cid=189943097 |title=Complex PTSD: A syndrome in survivors of prolonged and repeated trauma |journal=[[Journal of Traumatic Stress]] |date=July 1992 |volume=5 |issue=3 |pages=377–391 |doi=10.1007/BF00977235}}</ref> This occurs as a result of layers of trauma rather than a single traumatic event, and includes additional symptomatology, such as the loss of a coherent sense of self.<ref name="Herman1997">{{cite book |vauthors=Herman JL |title=Trauma and Recovery |date=1997 |publisher=[[Basic Books]] |location=New York |isbn=978-0-465-08730-3 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/traumarecovery00herm_0/page/119 119–122] |edition=2nd |url=https://archive.org/details/traumarecovery00herm_0/page/119}}</ref>