Which statement is typical of posttraumatic stress disorder?

Which statement is typical of posttraumatic stress disorder?

• A. Increased arousal, negative emotions, and guilt
• B. Increased responsiveness and emotion right after the event
• C. Inability to remember the event that led to the stress
• D. Obsession with revisiting the site of the traumatic event

Answer: (D)

Posttraumatic stress disorder is driven by intrusive re-experiencing of the trauma, along with avoidance, negative mood/cognition, and hyperarousal. The statement about being obsessed with revisiting the site of the traumatic event captures that intrusive re-experiencing pattern—repeatedly focusing on the trauma and even seeking out reminders can manifest as flashbacks or persistent thoughts about the location, which is a hallmark feature of PTSD. In contrast, suggesting heightened arousal right after the event points to an acute reaction rather than a sustained disorder (PTSD requires symptoms lasting more than a month). Inability to remember the event reflects a dissociative symptom not typical of PTSD as a defining feature, and while PTSD can involve distress from reminders, simply being highly aroused or emotional immediately after the trauma does not uniquely identify PTSD.

Posttraumatic stress disorder is driven by intrusive re-experiencing of the trauma, along with avoidance, negative mood/cognition, and hyperarousal. The statement about being obsessed with revisiting the site of the traumatic event captures that intrusive re-experiencing pattern—repeatedly focusing on the trauma and even seeking out reminders can manifest as flashbacks or persistent thoughts about the location, which is a hallmark feature of PTSD.

In contrast, suggesting heightened arousal right after the event points to an acute reaction rather than a sustained disorder (PTSD requires symptoms lasting more than a month). Inability to remember the event reflects a dissociative symptom not typical of PTSD as a defining feature, and while PTSD can involve distress from reminders, simply being highly aroused or emotional immediately after the trauma does not uniquely identify PTSD.