The effects of symptom overreporting on PTSD treatment outcome. Issue 1 (31st December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: van Minnen, Agnes; van Dalen, Birgit; Voorendonk, Eline M.; Wagenmans, Anouk; de Jongh, Ad
• Is Part Of: European journal of psychotraumatology. Volume 11:Issue 1(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12-31
• Subjects: malingering -- treatment outcome -- trauma-focused treatment -- symptom overreporting -- intensive treatment; simulación -- resultados del tratamiento -- tratamiento centrado en el trauma -- sobre-informe de síntomas -- tratamiento intensivo; 诈病 -- 治疗结果 -- 聚焦创伤治疗 -- 症状过度报告 -- 强化治疗; Overreporting symptoms are often seen as an contra-indication for treatment. PTSD-patients who overreported symptoms benefitted from trauma-focused treatment. Overreporting symptoms may have other underlying reasons than malingering. Overreporting patients should not be excluded from trauma-focused treatment.; Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Periodicals; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 616.8521
• DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2020.1794729
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2000-8198

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: It is often assumed that individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who overreport their symptoms should be excluded from trauma-focused treatments. Objective: To investigate the effects of a brief, intensive trauma-focused treatment programme for individuals with PTSD who are overreporting symptoms. Methods: Individuals ( n = 205) with PTSD participated in an intensive trauma-focused treatment programme consisting of EMDR and prolonged exposure (PE) therapy, physical activity and psycho-education. Assessments took place at pre- and post-treatment (Structured Inventory of Malingered Symptomatology; SIMS, Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5; CAPS-5). Results: Using a high SIMS cut-off of 24 or above, 14.1% ( n = 29) had elevated SIMS scores (i.e. 'overreporters'). The group of overreporters showed significant decreases in PTSD-symptoms, and these treatment results did not differ significantly from other patients. Although some patients (35.5%) remained overreporters at post-treatment, SIMS scores decreased significantly during treatment. Conclusion: The results suggest that an intensive trauma-focused treatment not only is a feasible and safe treatment for PTSD in general, but also for individuals who overreport their symptoms.