Differential diagnosis
The differential diagnoses (alternative causes of disease) are of particular importance. In recent years, there has been a kind of “PTSD sellout”, especially among “non-therapists”. The post-traumatic stress disorder became a kind of “fashion diagnosis”.This is problematic in that if the wrong diagnosis is made, the wrong therapeutic approaches are pursued, which on the one hand usually does not really help the patient and on the other hand causes immense costs that could be saved if the differential diagnoses were known more precisely.
In the following, differential diagnoses are to be distinguished:
- Acute stress reaction: If the symptoms (see below point ICD-10/symptomatics) only last for a few hours or days (maximum 4 weeks) due to an event and then disappear again, this is called the acute stress reaction.
- Adaptation disorder: Adaptation disorder typically does not meet all the symptoms of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Often, this disorder develops after events that are less “catastrophic” (usually after separations, bereavement or serious physical illness). (However, even the worst disasters can lead to adaptation disorder).
- Grief reaction: Grief reactions are completely normal.
However, if they do not subside for a certain period of time (6 months), this is called an “abnormal mourning reaction”. This falls under the adjustment disorders.
- Persistent personality change: As a result of long or repeated traumatic experiences (abuse, torture, imprisonment, etc. ), there may be permanent changes in the basic personality.
