Diagnosis and Symptoms
The diagnosis that best fits Maria is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD has four symptom clusters:
1- Intrusive or recurring symptoms, ways in which trauma reoccurs. Maria has vivid trauma memories, especially the recent kidnapping and gang-rape. She’s also having nightmares about those experiences in Mexico. She’s had panic attacks, which could have been flashbacks or an intense physical and psychological reaction to trauma reminders.