PTSD and Other Traumatic Disability Syndromes: Differential Diagnosis

Abstract

As noted in Chap. 2, none of the individual signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are specific for that syndrome; it is only the combination of features following a documented traumatic event that defines PTSD as an autonomous diagnosis. However, a variety of syndromes other than, or in addition to, PTSD can arise following a traumatic experience. Also, the presence of other preexisting or coexisting disorders can affect the onset, course, and resolution of PTSD. Finally, other non-PTSD syndromes may be misdiagnosed as PTSD. For example, PTSD has been shown to have a 65–98 % comorbidity rate and can co-occur with any of the following disorders: adjustment disorder, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, conduct disorder, dementia, dissociative disorder, dysthymia, eating disorders, major depressive disorder, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, somatization disorder, substance abuse, and traumatic brain injury.

An erratum to this chapter can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-09081-8_8