MMPI profiles of acute and chronic PTSD in a civilian sample

In a treatment setting, a group of 165 subjects presenting with either acute or chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were compared to 72 subjects presenting with panic disorder only in order to determine whether the MMPI PTSD assessment strategy developed with Vietnam veterans could be validly used with civilians. Results indicated that the MMPI profile, codetype, diagnostic decision rule, and PK scale developed with samples of Vietnam veterans did not apply well to civilians, especially those presenting with acute PTSD. It is thus recommended that specific assessment strategies be developed for these populations.