Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) requires exposure to a traumatic event along with the presence of what?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by a set of symptoms that arise following exposure to a traumatic or life-threatening event. According to the diagnostic criteria, one of the key components necessary for a diagnosis of PTSD is the presence of at least one intrusion symptom. Intrusion symptoms include recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories of the traumatic event, flashbacks, and distressing dreams related to the trauma. These symptoms indicate a persistent re-experiencing of the trauma, which is a hallmark of PTSD.

The diagnostic criteria also expand upon other symptom categories, such as avoidance symptoms, negative changes in cognition and mood, and alterations in arousal and reactivity. However, the requirement for at least one intrusion symptom is specifically established as part of the core criteria for diagnosing PTSD, making it essential for confirming the disorder itself.

In contrast, the option that suggests requiring all symptoms to be present for 6 months reflects a misunderstanding of the time course of symptom presentation. While symptoms must persist for more than a month for a PTSD diagnosis, they do not all need to be present at the 6-month mark. Other options focusing on specific avoidance symptoms or negative mood also have their own criteria and time frames, but the definitive requirement