1. definition of
post traumatic
stress disorder

2. ptsd - full diagnostic criteria 1
A. exposure to a traumatic event in which both of the following were present:
1.) experienced, witnessed, or was confronted with an event or events that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of self or others
2.) the person’s response involved intense fear, helplessness, or horror (in children, this may be expressed instead by disorganized or agitated behaviour)
1.) contrast Acute Stress Disorder which lasts from 2 to 28 days and which may well lead on to PTSD
2.) Acute PTSD if less than 3 months duration; Chronic PTSD if duration longer than 3 months; Delayed Onset if symptoms began at least 6 months after the trauma
E. duration of disturbance (B, C, D) is more than 1 month:
note there are numerous qualifiers etc.
dysthymia requires that for a 2 year period
1.) depressive mood is present during most of the day, for more days than not. this includes two or more of: a) poor appetite or overeating b) insomnia or hypersomnia c) low energy or fatigue d) low self-esteem f) poor concentration or difficulty making decisions g) feelings of hopelessness
2.) depressive symptoms are never absent for more than two months
3.) no major depressive episode occurs during the first two years of the disorder
F. disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in occupational, social, or other important areas of functioning