Rule Out Problems Mimicking C-PTS

Some medical problems mimic C-PTS. Providers should carefully evaluate MWDs for exclusionary criteria, such as traumatic brain injury (see K9 TBI and Acute Neurologic Injury CPG), auditory or ocular deficits, pain or discomfort, and underlying physical disease. It is important to determine if behavioral signs were occurring before the traumatic event(s) (in other words, pre-existing fear, anxiety, or stress-related behavior) to not misdiagnose C-PTS. Providers must rule-out anecdotal reports and other appropriate behavioral diagnoses, to validate a C-PTS or C-PTSD diagnosis.