PTSD Study Exam Questions and
Answers3
What are common causes of PTSD? What is the most likely cause of J.J.'s condition? - ANSWERS-
Common causes of PTSD include: being in the military and/or active combat, rape, assault,
natural disasters such as floods, tornadoes, earthquakes. Other common causes include any
event that leads to serious physical injury, such as a plane, automobile, drowning accidents.
The likely cause of J.J.'s condition stems from when he was serving in the Gulf War, and watched
several of his comrades be killed by the enemy. This is a very traumatic experience and a likely
contributor to his PTSD.
List 3 criteria that must be present for a diagnosis of PTSD. - ANSWERS-Criteria A - Stressor: the
person was exposed to death, threatened death, actual or threatened serious injury, or actual
or threatened sexual violence
Criteria B - Intrusion Symptoms (one required): unwanted upsetting memories, nightmares,
flashbacks, emotional distress after exposure to traumatic reminders, physical reactivity after
exposure to traumatic reminders
Criteria D - Negative Alterations in Cognitions and Mood (two required): inability to recall key
features of the trauma, overly negative thoughts and assumptions about oneself or the world,
exaggerated blame of self or others for causing the trauma, negative affect, decreased interest
in activities, feeling isolated, difficulty experiencing positive affect
Describe the difference between PTSD and acute stress disorder. - ANSWERS-Acute stress
disorder refers to the initial traumatic symptoms that arise immediately after a traumatic event.
PTSD refers to the long-term aftermath of trauma. PTSD can follow after ASD, but it can also
occur even when ASD does not develop. PTSD is diagnosed if symptoms have lasted longer than
a month.
Which symptom(s) of PTSD did J.J. most likely experience? - ANSWERS-Unwanted upsetting
memories, flashbacks
Answers3
What are common causes of PTSD? What is the most likely cause of J.J.'s condition? - ANSWERS-
Common causes of PTSD include: being in the military and/or active combat, rape, assault,
natural disasters such as floods, tornadoes, earthquakes. Other common causes include any
event that leads to serious physical injury, such as a plane, automobile, drowning accidents.
The likely cause of J.J.'s condition stems from when he was serving in the Gulf War, and watched
several of his comrades be killed by the enemy. This is a very traumatic experience and a likely
contributor to his PTSD.
List 3 criteria that must be present for a diagnosis of PTSD. - ANSWERS-Criteria A - Stressor: the
person was exposed to death, threatened death, actual or threatened serious injury, or actual
or threatened sexual violence
Criteria B - Intrusion Symptoms (one required): unwanted upsetting memories, nightmares,
flashbacks, emotional distress after exposure to traumatic reminders, physical reactivity after
exposure to traumatic reminders
Criteria D - Negative Alterations in Cognitions and Mood (two required): inability to recall key
features of the trauma, overly negative thoughts and assumptions about oneself or the world,
exaggerated blame of self or others for causing the trauma, negative affect, decreased interest
in activities, feeling isolated, difficulty experiencing positive affect
Describe the difference between PTSD and acute stress disorder. - ANSWERS-Acute stress
disorder refers to the initial traumatic symptoms that arise immediately after a traumatic event.
PTSD refers to the long-term aftermath of trauma. PTSD can follow after ASD, but it can also
occur even when ASD does not develop. PTSD is diagnosed if symptoms have lasted longer than
a month.
Which symptom(s) of PTSD did J.J. most likely experience? - ANSWERS-Unwanted upsetting
memories, flashbacks
