Evaluation of Diagnostic Matrices for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - Research Paper Example

PTSD can be experienced at any age and does not focus on a certain age group or gender. It has many causes such as natural disaster, conflict, rape, assault and other similar events (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Simply put, PSTD, also known as dissociative disorder can occur in some people after certain events. This may trigger them to feel certain kinds of mental or emotional strain when they are reminded of the event. According to The U.S. National Library of Medicine, PTSD’s symptoms include, but are not limited to avoidance, arousal or heightened alertness, reliving the event that caused the trauma, lack of interest in things that normally interest you, trouble sleeping, and others (MedlinePlus, 2012).

After PTSD has been confirmed or determined in a person, some of the treatments and interventions include cognitive behavioral therapy, counseling, medication, grounding techniques, stress management, group therapy, helping the client cope with stress and emotions, promoting self-esteem, and promoting client safety (Mayo Clinic, 2012). PTSD diagnosis, test, and determination methods are the product of constant evaluation, criticism, success and improvement. These methods have been tailor fitted and sharpened to correctly assess people with PTSD and determine the next course of action.

This process has evolved from older methods of determination (Castro, F., Hayes, J., Keane, T., 2011; Crary, C., 2012; Franklin, C.L., Sheeran, T., Zimmerman, M., 2002; National Institute of Mental Health, 2010). The goal of this scholarly project is to look at the diagnostic methods of determining PTSD, both old and recent, and assess them in such a manner as to determine their effectiveness, and critique their positive and negative points. It aims to look at these methods of determination and compare and contrast the recent methods with the old methods, in order to verify and check which method may be more effective.

This paper will use recent scholarly articles in order to present information that will support the information used in the article. It will also