PTSD hyperarousal mislabelled as anxiety

Hypervigilance, startle, re-experiencing, avoidance, anger, sleep disruption after trauma

RoutineReview due

Compare (7)

At a glance

High-risk causes: 4
Related differentials: 6

Safety snapshot

Watch forDissociationaggressionself-harmsevere insomnia

Presentation hinge

Abrupt peak over minutes, recurrent unexpected attacks, anticipatory anxiety or avoidance.

Separates the Anxiety / Panic / Obsessions / Health Anxiety group. It is not specific to PTSD hyperarousal mislabelled as anxiety.

Clinical review

Rows marked “Whole group”: Applies to the Anxiety / Panic / Obsessions / Health Anxiety group — not specific to PTSD hyperarousal mislabelled as anxiety

Why it fits

Hypervigilance, startle, re-experiencing, avoidance, anger, sleep disruption after trauma

Key features

Must-not-miss

Dissociation, aggression, self-harm, severe insomnia.

High-risk causes4 causes

Dissociation
aggression
self-harm
severe insomnia

Bedside question

Applies to the Anxiety / Panic / Obsessions / Health Anxiety group.

Abrupt peak over minutes, recurrent unexpected attacks, anticipatory anxiety or avoidance.

Helpful clues

Immediate action

Applies to the Anxiety / Panic / Obsessions / Health Anxiety group.

None listed

Priority steps

Investigations

Applies to the Anxiety / Panic / Obsessions / Health Anxiety group.

None listed

Core tests

Mimics / overlap

Applies to the Anxiety / Panic / Obsessions / Health Anxiety group.

None listed

Consider

Clinical reference — not validated decision support. Review before use.