POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER IN DSM-III-R, DSM-IV, AND ICD-10 - A COMPARISON AND EVALUATION OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESPECTIVE DIAGNOSTIC-CRITERIA

In connection with the publication of DSM-IV, it is of interest to com pare the diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as defined in DSM-IV with its definition in DSM-III-R and in ICD-10. Although the re are great similarities in the different diagnostic systems, there a re also important differences, particularly between the DSM systems an d the ICD system, which does not attach the same emphasis to avoidance and the hyperarousal as do the DSM systems.