PTSD isn’t just about flashbacks — it’s a full-body, full-mind reaction to trauma that doesn’t shut off. As a psychiatric NP, your cheat sheet must focus on core DSM-5 criteria: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative mood changes, and hyperarousal — all lasting more than a month post-trauma. This guide also helps you screen with tools like the PCL-5 and assess for dissociative symptoms, sleep disturbances, irritability, and functional impact.
You’ll find first-line treatment options like trauma-focused CBT, EMDR, and SSRIs (e.g., sertraline, paroxetine), plus guidance for avoiding benzodiazepines in trauma-exposed patients. There’s also insight into how PTSD overlaps with depression, anxiety, and substance use. With this cheat sheet, you’re not just checking boxes — you’re decoding trauma and guiding patients back to safety, stability, and control.