Presence of one (or more) of the following intrusion symptoms associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning after the traumatic event(s) occurred:ġ. Note: Criterion A4 does not apply to exposure through electronic media, television, movies, or pictures, unless this exposure is work related.ī. Experiencing repeated or extreme exposure to aversive details of the traumatic event(s) (e.g., first responders collecting human remains police officers repeatedly exposed to details of child abuse). In cases of actual or threatened death of family member or friend, the event(s) must have been violent or accidental.Ĥ. Learning that the traumatic event(s) occurred to a close family member or close friend.
Witnessing, in person, the event(s) as it occurred to others.ģ. Directly experiencing the traumatic event(s).Ģ. Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence in one (or more) of the following ways:ġ. Without further ado, here are the DSM-5’s new PTSD Diagnostic Criteria:Ī.
For instance, check out TIME magazine’s article, “ An Easier PTSD Diagnosis.” Whether this will have an effect on LHWCA/DBA claims remains to be seen. Many are noticing that the DSM-5 makes it easier to get a PTSD diagnosis. And while there is no requirement in the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act that administrative law judges (“ALJ”) strictly adhere to the DSM-5’s diagnostic criteria, the failure of a diagnosing psychiatrist or psychologist to adhere to the criteria could affect the weight that an ALJ gives that evidence. Changes have been made to some of the important diagnoses commonly used in Longshore and Defense Base Act claims. The American Psychiatric Association finally published the Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, commonly known as the DSM-5.