following exposure to  the traumatic event.
Anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder. In OCD, there are recurrent
intrusive thoughts, but these meet the definition  of an obsession. In addition, the intrusive
thoughts are not related to an experienced traumatic event, compulsions are usually pres-
ent, and other symptoms of PTSD or acute stre ss disorder are typically absent. Neither the
arousal and dissociative symptoms of panic di sorder nor the avoidance, irritability, and
anxiety of generalized anxiety disorder are associated with a specific traumatic event. The
symptoms of separation anxiety disorder are clearly related to separation from home or
family, rather than to a traumatic event.
Major depressive disorder. Major depression may or may not be preceded by a trau-
matic event and should be diagnosed if othe r PTSD symptoms are absent. Specifically, ma-
jor depressive disorder does not include any PTSD Criterion B or C symptoms. Nor does it
include a number of symptoms from PTSD Criterion D or E.
Personality disorders. Interpersonal difficulties that had their onset, or were greatly ex-
acerbated, after exposure to a traumatic event may be an indica tion of PTSD, rather than a
personality disorder, in which such difficulties would be expected independently of any
traumatic exposure.
Dissociative disorders. Dissociative amnesia, dissociative identity disorder, and de-
personalization-derealization disorder may or may not be preceded by exposure to a trau-
matic event or may or may not have co-occurri ng PTSD symptoms. When full PTSD criteria
are also met, however, the PTSD “with dissoci ative symptoms” subtype should be considered.
Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder). New onset of somatic
symptoms within the context of posttraumati c distress might be an indication of PTSD