Immediate impact of the trauma

Peritraumatic Distress Inventory (PDI) et Peritraumatic Distress Inventory – Child (PDI-C)

The PDI is a 13-item self-reporting scale that assesses an individual’s emotional reactions at the time of or immediately after a traumatic event (Information sheet 12, Questionnaire 9). This type of instrument administered a short time after the event measures the subjective severity of the event and identifies the individuals at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD). Such individuals would be well advised to receive treatment promptly to reduce the gravity and duration of the symptoms (Bui et al., 2010; Guardia et al., 2013; Jehel et al., 2005, 2006). A version exists that is adapted for young people roughly 8 to 15 years of age (PDI-C) (Questionnaire 10) (Bui et al., 2011).

Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire (PDEQ)

The PDEQ is a 10-item instrument that proposes the retrospective measurement of the perception of dissociation during and immediately after a threatening event (Information sheet 13, Questionnaire 11). Dissociation is a peritraumatic reaction that can be observed after a traumatic event. Peritraumatic dissociation appears to allow early identification of traumatized patients who could develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Bui et al., 2010; Ozer et al., 2008). This instrument covers perceptions of depersonalization, derealization, out-of-body experiences and altered time perception (Birmes et al., 2005; Marmar et al., 2007). It appears to predict the chronicity of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (Jehel et al., 2006). There is a version adapted for young people (PDEQ-C) (Bui et al., 2011).