A 30-year-old combat veteran has subthreshold PTSD symptoms for 5 months after trauma, then meets full criteria 8 months post-trauma after a new stressor. Which DSM-5 specifier applies?
- A With dissociative symptoms
- B With exacerbation
- C With prolonged grief
- D With delayed expression ✓
Correct answer: D. With delayed expression
Explanation
The delayed expression specifier applies when full PTSD diagnostic criteria are not met until at least 6 months after the traumatic event, though some symptoms may appear earlier. This is distinct from the dissociative specifier (depersonalization/derealization) and is a well-recognized pattern in combat-related PTSD.
Reference: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed.
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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.