For Experts
- Currently not a diagnosis in the DSM or ICD.
- Has been used to refer to stress and/or mental health conditions arising from exposure to a potentially psychologically traumatic stressor or event.
- Has been used to refer specifically to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, but has also been used to refer to mental health conditions with some features of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder that do not meet criteria for the diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder but still interfere with daily functioning in social, work, or family activities.
- Can develop soon after exposure to a potentially psychologically traumatic event or progressively over time with cumulative exposures.
- Does not refer to reactions to stressful events or significant life changes that are not potentially psychologically traumatic stressors/events, so does not refer to normal reactions to common stressors.
- Often mistakenly used interchangeably with other terms such as posttraumatic stress disorder; therefore, wherever possible, using another more specific term will be more accurate and more helpful.
For General Public
- Currently not a diagnosis in the DSM or ICD.
- Has been used to refer to stress and/or mental health conditions from exposure to a potentially psychologically traumatic stressor or event.
- Has been used to refer specifically to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, but has also been used to refer to mental health conditions that follow exposure to a potentially psychologically traumatic event and interfere with daily functioning in social, work, or family activities.
- Often mistakenly used interchangeably with several other terms; therefore, wherever possible, using another more specific term will be more accurate and more helpful.
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