These are the important aspects of a traumatic stressor to consider when assessing for Criterion A:

• Intensity, frequency and duration of the stressor
• Unpredictability and uncontrollability of the stressor
• Presence of life threat
• Bodily injury
• Tragic loss of a significant other
• Involvement with brutality or the grotesque
• Degree of violence involved, particularly violence of a criminal nature
• Sexual victimization