| Dissociative subtype of PTSD | Hyperaroused PTSD | |
| Etiology | Likely to be more severe, chronic, repeated, usually childhood and adult trauma | Likely to be later-occurring trauma and/or less cumulative trauma |
| Likely response when presented with traumatic narrative or triggers | Dissociation, numbing | Terror |
| Decreased, blunted autonomic arousal | Increased autonomic arousal | |
| Decreased heart rate | Increased heart rate | |
| Cortisol release is delayed | Rapidly increased cortisol level | |
| Decreased skin conductance | Increased skin conductance | |
| Brain areas activated that may over-control emotion and alter sense of self (eg, MPFC) | Brain areas activated that may under-control emotion |
