The SI-PTSD assesses the 17 PTSD symptoms as wel as survival and
behavioral guilt. For each item, the interviewer assigns a severity
rating that reflects both frequency and intensity. Some items focus
more on frequency and some focus more on intensity of symptoms.
Scores can also be obtained for "worst ever" symptoms.
Item responses can be used to make a determination about whether
client's symptoms meet DSM criteria B, C, and D for PTSD. Items are
scored on a scale from 0-4. A symptom is counted as positive if it
is at least a 2 (moderate). The interview takes takes 20-30 minutes
to administer if initial screen questions are positive and can be
administered by mental health professionals or by paraprofessionals
after some training.
Sample Item
Have you experienced painful images or memories of combat or
other trauma which you couldn't get out of your mind, even though
you may have wanted to? Have these been recurrent?
0 = not at
all
1 = mild; rarely and/or not bothersome
2 = moderate; at least once a week, and/or rare but produces
significant impairment of function or distress
3 = severe; at least 4 times per week
4 = extremely severe; daily or produces so much impairment
that patient cannot work or enter social situations
9 = no information
rate worst ever:
rate past 4 weeks (or other designated period):
References
Davidson, J. R. T., Kudler, H. S., & Smith, R. D. (1990).
Assessment and pharmacotherapy of posttraumatic stress disorder. In
J. E.L. Giller (Ed.), Biological assessment and treatment of
posttraumatic stress disorder (pp. 205-221). Washington, DC:
American Psychiatric Press. (NOTE: Includes measure in its
entirety)
Orsillo, Susan M. (2001). Measures for acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. In M.M. Antony & S.M. Orsillo (Eds.), Practitioner's guide to empirically based measures of anxiety (pp. 255-307). New York: KluwerAcademic/Plenum. PILOTS ID 24368
To obtain scale contact
Jonathan Davidson, MD
Department of Psychiatry
Box 3812
Duke University Medical Center
Durham, NC 27710-3812
(919) 684 2880
