Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is classified under which type of disorder?

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is classified as an anxiety disorder because it involves intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings related to a traumatic experience. Individuals with PTSD often experience symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event. These symptoms can lead to significant distress and impairment in daily functioning, which aligns with the criteria for anxiety disorders.

Anxiety disorders, as a category, are characterized by excessive fear or anxiety, and PTSD fits within this framework due to the nature of its symptoms which revolve around anxiety in response to trauma. This classification helps in understanding the appropriate therapeutic approaches and treatments aimed at alleviating symptoms of anxiety that arise following traumatic events.

In contrast, personality disorders, substance use disorders, and psychotic disorders encompass different sets of symptoms and diagnostic criteria that do not align with the specific experiences and symptomatology associated with PTSD.