Description
The DAPS is a 104-item, detailed, and comprehensive clinical measure of trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress. The instrument assesses peri- and posttraumatic symptoms (e.g., intrusion, avoidance, hyperarousal) and associated features (e.g., dissociative symptoms, substance abuse, suicidality) related to a specific traumatic event and generates a tentative diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) in considerably less time than is required for a structured diagnostic interview. The diagnosis can then be confirmed by a clinical interview. The DAPS assesses both the current and lifetime history of DSM-IV-TR trauma exposure, as well as the severity and clinical significance of an individual’s posttraumatic symptoms, including dissociative, cognitive, and emotional responses.