Understanding Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

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What is a characteristic of posttraumatic stress disorder?

A lasting reaction to trauma (correct)
A temporary reaction to trauma
A immediate reaction to trauma
A mild reaction to trauma

What is a necessary condition for a diagnosis of PTSD?

The individual must have a history of mental health disorders
The individual must have been exposed to an event that involves public humiliation
The individual must have been exposed to an event that involves actual or threatened death (correct)
The individual must have a strong support system

What is an example of a behavior that individuals with PTSD may engage in?

Engaging in risky behaviors
Practicing mindfulness and meditation
Constantly scanning their surroundings to look for signs of potential danger (correct)
Constantly seeking social interaction

What is a common outcome for individuals who face traumatic events?

They will all experience a range of reactions, including some who will develop PTSD (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a type of trauma that may not make the headlines?

Car accident (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a symptom of PTSD?

A sense of intense fear that another traumatic event might occur (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor in the recovery of individuals who have faced traumatic events?

The support of family and friends (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of individuals who develop PTSD?

They are more likely to experience emotional numbing (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the news media?

Stories of war and natural disasters (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common consequence of PTSD?

Sense of isolation and emotional numbing (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why a person with PTSD may avoid watching intense or emotional movies?

To prevent the experience of emotional arousal (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the phenomenon where a person feels like they are experiencing the traumatic event again?

Flashback (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated percentage of the population that has experienced PTSD at some point in their life?

6.8% (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common precipitating trauma for PTSD?

Combat and sexual assault (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why may a person with PTSD have a strong alarm reaction to certain stimuli?

Because the stimuli serve as a reminder of the traumatic event (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the feeling that one's future is cut short?

Foreshortened future (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why may a person with PTSD avoid conversations about the traumatic event?

To avoid triggering internal cues (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the repeated or extreme exposure to details of the traumatic event?

Vicarious exposure (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why a person with PTSD may be jumpy or easily startled?

Because they are hypervigilant (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the psychological vulnerability that may contribute to the development of PTSD?

Viewing the world as uncontrollable and unpredictable (A) Signup and view all the answers