Question

Anxiety, recurring nightmares, sleep disturbances and concentration problems, that occur more than 1 month after a major stressor are symptoms of _________.

• A. Pre traumatic stress disorder
• B. General stress disorder
• C. Post traumatic stress disorder
• D. Acute stress disorder

Hint:

To distinguish between Acute Stress Disorder and PTSD, look at the timeline: under $1$ month is Acute Stress Disorder; over $1$ month is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks us to identify the clinical disorder characterized by symptoms of anxiety, intrusive memories, and hyperarousal lasting more than one month following a major traumatic stressor.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying, life-threatening event.

• Symptoms of PTSD include intrusive memories (recurring nightmares, flashbacks), avoidance of trauma reminders, negative alterations in mood, and marked hyperarousal (sleep disturbances, concentration problems).

• Crucially, the diagnostic criteria in both the DSM-5 and ICD-11 require these symptoms to persist for more than $1$ month following the trauma.

• If the symptoms occur within the first month immediately following the trauma, the diagnosis is Acute Stress Disorder (ASD).

• Pre-traumatic stress disorder is not an established clinical diagnosis in psychiatric classification.

• General stress disorder is not a formal diagnostic category in standard manuals like DSM-5.

Step 3: Final Answer:
When symptoms like nightmares, hyperarousal, and concentration deficits persist for more than $1$ month after a major stressor, the diagnosis is Post traumatic stress disorder.