Pseudo-PTSD

Pseudo-posttraumatic stress disorder (pseudo-PTSD) refers to cases in which a patient's presentation is but a simulation of the actual clinical syndrome. The problem of pseudo-PTSD has been neglected by many clinicians and researchers, who often rely on the assumption that a patient's reported symptoms can be accepted as valid. The purpose of this article is to (a) consider the diverse causes of pseudo-PTSD, (b) emphasize the importance of the DSM-IV's guideline to rule out malingering, and (c) discuss the implications that pseudo-PTSD has for research and clinical practice.