Traumatization - Diagnostics

Traumatization - Diagnostics

Events are described as traumatic if they are accompanied by extraordinary stress or an extreme threat (also from other people). The subjective experience of this threat is crucial and can lead to various psycho-physiological reactions with effects in all areas of life.

Your own quality of life can be improved by

• Psychosomatic reactions
• Intense emotions (including startle reactions, tension)
• Intrusive reliving (flashbacks)
• Psychosocial effects (withdrawal, mistrust)
• Dissociations (a kind of inner numbness, splitting off one's own experience)

can be massively impaired. The reactions can only last for a short time (acute stress reaction) without any disruptive value, but can also have a long-term detrimental effect.

A detailed assessment of the symptoms and the possible trauma-related disorder as part of a clinical-psychological diagnosis is essential in order to plan further treatment steps. Trauma treatment adapted to your individual symptoms is discussed with a trauma therapist. In some cases, a combination with psychopharmacological therapy may also be useful.

Diagnostics

A referral can be made by a doctor (e.g. a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapeutic medicine) or your treating psychologist/psychotherapist if a trauma disorder is suspected.

Clinical-psychological trauma diagnostics (50 min/unit) includes the following elements:

1 unit: medical history, exploratory interview
1-3 units: Specification of standardized diagnostic instruments (questionnaires, interviews)
1 unit: Discussion of findings