بررسی اختلال استرس پس از سانحه تمارض: نقد

This article is a critical examination of the current state of the literature regarding the assessment of malingered posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). First, published empirical studies that examine the assessment of malingering in PTSD claimants using the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual criteria are summarized. Next, conceptual and methodological strengths, weakness, and limitations of existing research are outlined. Currently, there is no method or single instrument that is universally recognized as being the best tool to detect malingering in PTSD claimants. Lastly, recommendations for future investigations are provided.

During the past 20 years, research regarding the ability to detect malingering, the feigning of symptoms for secondary gain, in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) claimants has grown rapidly. PTSD is an anxiety disorder resultant from exposure to a traumatic event (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 1994). It is a diagnosis particularly vulnerable to malingering because it is characterized by a number of subjective symptoms and is commonly associated with reinforcing financial and personal gains (e.g., disability benefits). PTSD is also characterized by a variable symptom profile and is highly comorbid with a variety of clinical and personality disorders, making detection of malingering a challenging endeavor. This article is a critical review of published empirical literature pertaining to the assessment of malingered PTSD.