PTSD develops when the brain gets stuck in survival mode long after the threat is gone. This cheat sheet is your clinical lens to identify the key symptom clusters: intrusive memories, avoidance behaviors, mood disturbances, and hyperarousal — all following exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. It outlines DSM-5 criteria in plain terms and guides you on using tools like the PCL-5 for accurate screening and monitoring.
Whether it’s combat trauma, abuse, accidents, or medical events, the goal is clear: help patients regain a sense of safety and control. This sheet includes gold-standard treatments like trauma-focused CBT, EMDR, and SSRI protocols, plus cautions against overreliance on benzos. PTSD often hides under layers of anger, withdrawal, or somatic complaints — this guide ensures you see what others miss, and intervene with both precision and compassion.