Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that is frequently encountered in litigation, and as such, there
is an increased risk for poor effort on cognitive tests, symptom exaggeration, or frank malingering. These are particularly
problematic for accurate diagnosis. This article is divided into four sections. First, we address why individuals malinger
PTSD as well as the challenges in detecting an invalid PTSD symptom presentation. Second, we discuss issues of cognitive functioning
in PTSD and then the prevalence of and common patterns of poor effort on neuropsychological testing among individuals feigning
PTSD. Third, we discuss psychological functioning in PTSD and then the prevalence and patterns of functioning on psychological
measures of malingering in this population. Finally, recommendations for detecting invalid PTSD symptom presentations are
provided.
is an increased risk for poor effort on cognitive tests, symptom exaggeration, or frank malingering. These are particularly
problematic for accurate diagnosis. This article is divided into four sections. First, we address why individuals malinger
PTSD as well as the challenges in detecting an invalid PTSD symptom presentation. Second, we discuss issues of cognitive functioning
in PTSD and then the prevalence of and common patterns of poor effort on neuropsychological testing among individuals feigning
PTSD. Third, we discuss psychological functioning in PTSD and then the prevalence and patterns of functioning on psychological
measures of malingering in this population. Finally, recommendations for detecting invalid PTSD symptom presentations are
provided.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s12207-011-9099-y
- Authors
- George J. Demakis, Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 29223-0001, USA
- Jon D. Elhai, Department of Psychology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH USA
- Journal Psychological Injury and Law
- Online ISSN 1938-9728
- Print ISSN 1938-971X