Differentiating PTSD from Malingering : Considerations Interview Style and Typical Symptoms

It can be difficult to distinguish posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from malingering because a person's responses after experiencing trauma depend on self-report, such as subjective complaints, and it is easy to find the diagnostic criteria for PTSD through the internet or other mass media. Therefore, it is important for clinicians to perceive patients' motivations and determine whether they have external incentives. We reviewed clinicians' and patients' interview styles, which can be useful for reducing malingering intent and detecting malingering patterns. To help clinicians differentiate PTSD from malingering, we also reviewed the diagnostic criteria (re-experience, avoidance and numbing, and hyperarousal) and the typical symptoms of true and malingered PTSD.