PTSD Study Guide Exam Questions
and Answers10
Define post-traumatic stress disorder. - ANSWERS-A syndrome that develops after a person is
exposed to a traumatic event, with ongoing symptoms of re-experiencing, avoidance of
reminders, negative alterations of thoughts and mood, and symptoms of increased arousal.
Give the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. - ANSWERS-Exposure to actual or threatened death,
serious injury, or sexual violence in at least one of the following ways:
directly experiencing or witnessing event, learning of event occurring to a close family member,
or experiencing repeated exposure to aversive details of traumatic event.
Presence of at least one of the following: recurrent, intrusive, distressing memories of the
event; recurrent distressing dreams related to the event; dissociative reactions (eg, flashbacks)
of the event recurring; psychological distress at exposure to cues that symbolize or resemble the
event; or marked physiological reactions to cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the
event.
Persistent avoidance of or efforts to avoid distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about the
event, and/or avoidance of or efforts to avoid external reminders that arouse distressing
memories, thoughts, or feelings about the event.
Negative alterations in thinking and mood associated with the event, as evidenced by at least
two of the following:
inability to remember an important aspect of the event; persistent and exaggerated negative
beliefs about oneself, others, or the world; inappropriate blaming of oneself or others;
persistent negative emotional state; anhedonia; feelings of detachment from others; persistent
inability to experience positive emotions.
, Alterations in arousal associated with the event, as evidenced by at least two of the following:
irritability or angry outbursts; reckless or self-destructive behavior; hypervigilance; pronounced
startle response; problems concentrating; or sleep disturbance (eg, difficulty falling/staying
asleep or restless sleep).
The symptoms cause significant distress or impairment in social or occupational functioning.
Duration is > 1 mo.
True or false:
The trauma itself can be a single event or multiple events occurring over several weeks, months,
or even years (such as in cases of domestic violence). - ANSWERS-True
True or false:
The context and type of trauma are important (eg, motor vehicle accident, combat, torture,
rape). - ANSWERS-True
True or false:
If the trauma occurs when the individual is very young or very old, the effects can be much
more severe. - ANSWERS-True
Name the 9 risk factors for developing PTSD. - ANSWERS-- female gender,
- childhood emotional problems and/or adversity,
- previous psychiatric illness,
- lower educational level,
- lower socioeconomic status,
- exposure to prior trauma,
- lower intelligence,
- dissociation during the trauma,
and Answers10
Define post-traumatic stress disorder. - ANSWERS-A syndrome that develops after a person is
exposed to a traumatic event, with ongoing symptoms of re-experiencing, avoidance of
reminders, negative alterations of thoughts and mood, and symptoms of increased arousal.
Give the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. - ANSWERS-Exposure to actual or threatened death,
serious injury, or sexual violence in at least one of the following ways:
directly experiencing or witnessing event, learning of event occurring to a close family member,
or experiencing repeated exposure to aversive details of traumatic event.
Presence of at least one of the following: recurrent, intrusive, distressing memories of the
event; recurrent distressing dreams related to the event; dissociative reactions (eg, flashbacks)
of the event recurring; psychological distress at exposure to cues that symbolize or resemble the
event; or marked physiological reactions to cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the
event.
Persistent avoidance of or efforts to avoid distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about the
event, and/or avoidance of or efforts to avoid external reminders that arouse distressing
memories, thoughts, or feelings about the event.
Negative alterations in thinking and mood associated with the event, as evidenced by at least
two of the following:
inability to remember an important aspect of the event; persistent and exaggerated negative
beliefs about oneself, others, or the world; inappropriate blaming of oneself or others;
persistent negative emotional state; anhedonia; feelings of detachment from others; persistent
inability to experience positive emotions.
, Alterations in arousal associated with the event, as evidenced by at least two of the following:
irritability or angry outbursts; reckless or self-destructive behavior; hypervigilance; pronounced
startle response; problems concentrating; or sleep disturbance (eg, difficulty falling/staying
asleep or restless sleep).
The symptoms cause significant distress or impairment in social or occupational functioning.
Duration is > 1 mo.
True or false:
The trauma itself can be a single event or multiple events occurring over several weeks, months,
or even years (such as in cases of domestic violence). - ANSWERS-True
True or false:
The context and type of trauma are important (eg, motor vehicle accident, combat, torture,
rape). - ANSWERS-True
True or false:
If the trauma occurs when the individual is very young or very old, the effects can be much
more severe. - ANSWERS-True
Name the 9 risk factors for developing PTSD. - ANSWERS-- female gender,
- childhood emotional problems and/or adversity,
- previous psychiatric illness,
- lower educational level,
- lower socioeconomic status,
- exposure to prior trauma,
- lower intelligence,
- dissociation during the trauma,
