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DSM-5 Criteria and Its Implications for Diagnosing PTSD in Military Service Members and Veterans

  • Military Mental Health (CH Warner, Section Editor)
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Abstract

This review addresses how changes in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) criteria has the potential to affect the care and careers of those who have served in the military, where the diagnosis often determines fitness for duty and veterans’ benefits. PTSD criteria changes were intended to integrate new knowledge acquired since previous DSM editions. Many believe the changes will improve diagnosis and treatment, but some worry these could have negative clinical, occupational, and legal consequences. We analyze the changes in classification, trauma definition, symptoms, symptom clusters, and subtypes and possible impacts on the military (e.g., over- and under-diagnosis, “drone” video exposure, subthreshold PTSD, and secondary PTSD). We also discuss critiques and proposals for future changes. Our objectives are to improve the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of those service members who have survived trauma and to improve policies related to the military mental healthcare and disability systems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mental Health Clinic, Wright-Patterson Medical Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH, 45433, USA

    Jeffrey Guina & Pamela J. Broderick

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, 627 S. Edwin C. Moses Blvd., Dayton, OH, 45417, USA

    Jeffrey Guina, Randon S. Welton, Pamela J. Broderick, Terry L. Correll & Ryan P. Peirson

  3. Aeromedical Consultation Service, US Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH, 45433, USA

    Terry L. Correll & Ryan P. Peirson

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  1. Jeffrey Guina
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  2. Randon S. Welton
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Correspondence to Jeffrey Guina.

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Jeffrey Guina, Randon S. Welton, Pamela J. Broderick, Terry L. Correll, and Ryan P. Peirson declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect official policy or position of the United States Air Force, Department of Defense, or US Government. The 88th Air Base Wing reviewed this manuscript (Case Number 88ABW-2016-0185). The material was assigned a clearance of CLEARED on 20 January 2016.

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Military Mental Health

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Guina, J., Welton, R.S., Broderick, P.J. et al. DSM-5 Criteria and Its Implications for Diagnosing PTSD in Military Service Members and Veterans. Curr Psychiatry Rep 18, 43 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-016-0686-1

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