THE ESSENCE OF POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER: HISTORY, DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA, AND MECHANISMS OF FORMATION

Abstract

This article presents a comprehensive theoretical analysis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a complex mental condition that develops in response to exposure to extremely stressful and traumatic events. Particular attention is paid to the study of PTSD in military personnel who have participated in combat operations, as this population is among the most vulnerable to the development of trauma-related disorders. The relevance of the topic is underscored by the significant increase in PTSD cases among combatants in Ukraine and the urgent need for timely diagnosis, differential assessment, and psychological intervention. The purpose of this article is to examine the essence of PTSD from both historical and contemporary perspectives, to analyze the evolution of scientific understanding of the disorder, to outline current diagnostic criteria according to international classification systems (DSM-5, ICD-11), and to systematize the main psychophysiological, cognitivebehavioral, and sociocultural mechanisms underlying its formation. The study applies methods of theoretical analysis, comparative review of diagnostic frameworks, and a structuralsystem approach to synthesizing empirical and clinical sources. The article identifies key historical stages in the conceptualization of PTSD, summarizes the diagnostic criteria – intrusion, avoidance, negative alterations in cognition and mood, and hyperarousal—and highlights typical cognitive changes, particularly the disruption of core beliefs related to safety, fairness, and the future. Key social factors contributing to the development of PTSD are identified, including stigma, lack of support, and cultural barriers to help-seeking. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of PTSD and emphasize the need for an interdisciplinary approach to its diagnosis, prevention, and rehabilitation, especially in military personnel affected by combat-related psychological trauma.