Intensity is the strength of a typical occurrence of a particular symptom. The CAPS-5 rates intensity on a four-point ordinal scale:
- • Minimal
- • Clearly Present
- • Pronounced
- • Extreme
Select the different ways in which intensity is rated.
Degree of distress or discomfort caused by the symptom
On the CAPS-5 past month version, intensity ratings are most commonly based on the interviewee's average self-reported degree of distress or discomfort caused by the symptom in the last month.
Item 5(B5) of the CAPS-5 form with questions, What kinds of reminders trigger these event? and How long does it take you to recover? Highlighted.
Long Description for Item B5
Example: In CAPS-5 question #5 (B5) which assesses recurrent and intrusive distressing recollections, intensity prompts include:
- What kinds of reminders trigger these reactions?
- How long does it take you to recover?
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Degree (or strength) of symptom occurrence
For some symptoms, intensity ratings may be based on how strongly the symptom was felt and the extent to which it affected the interviewee's actions. Often the interviewee's actions are affected in very specific ways that are unique to a particular symptom.
Example: In CAPS-5 item #15 (E1), which assesses irritable behavior and angry outbursts, intensity prompts include:
- Can you give me some examples? (How do you show it? Do you raise your voice or yell? Throw or hit things? Push or hit other people?)
The presence of specific behaviors, such as exhibiting physical aggression, would contribute to an elevated intensity rating.
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Impairment from the symptom
The intensity of a symptom also considers how much of an impact it has on the interviewee's life. For example, factors such as whether the symptom interferes with what the interviewee was doing at the time it occurred, as well as if the interviewee was able to resume what he or she was doing and how long it was before he or she was able to do so, can all contribute to determining the intensity of the symptom.
Example: In CAPS-5 item 7 (C2- avoidance of external reminders of the trauma), intensity prompts include:
- How much effort do you make to avoid these reminders?
- Do you have to make a plan or change your activities to avoid them?
- Overall, how much of a problem is this for you?
- How would things be different if you didn't have to avoid these reminders?
Be sure to refer to the key to help clarify what information should be used to determine intensity for any given symptom.
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