Which disorder is characterized by exposure to a traumatic event, leading to persistent re-experiencing and avoidance?

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is characterized by the experience of a traumatic event that leads to a variety of symptoms including persistent re-experiencing of the trauma, such as flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, or nightmares, as well as avoidance behaviors related to reminders of the traumatic event. Individuals may avoid places, people, or activities that trigger memories of the trauma. Additionally, PTSD can cause negative changes in mood and cognition, hyperarousal, and heightened anxiety.

The distinction here is important because PTSD symptoms last longer than one month, often persisting for months or years after the event. The criteria for PTSD require not just exposure to a traumatic event but also the presence of these specific symptoms that significantly impair daily functioning. Understanding the diagnostic criteria for PTSD versus other disorders, such as Acute Stress Disorder which occurs in the immediate aftermath of a trauma (but lasts less than a month), or Adjustment Disorder which is a response to a stressful event that does not necessarily involve the same level of trauma, is crucial in distinguishing among these conditions.

Trichotillomania, on the other hand, involves compulsively pulling out hair and is not related to trauma exposure. Thus, each diagnosis has its unique criteria, with PTSD specifically involving both the