Which of the following is an accurate statement about posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

• A. PTSD can develop after exposure to a traumatic event and is characterized by symptoms such as intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in mood, and heightened arousal.
• B. PTSD is exclusively diagnosed in children and does not affect adults.
• C. PTSD symptoms typically resolve within a few days without any intervention.
• D. PTSD only occurs in individuals who have experienced physical injury during a traumatic event.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the definition of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It involves a range of symptoms that affect emotional and psychological well-being.
2. Step 2: Identify the core symptoms of PTSD. These typically include intrusive memories (such as flashbacks or nightmares), avoidance of reminders of the trauma, negative changes in mood and cognition (like feelings of guilt or detachment), and heightened arousal (such as being easily startled or having difficulty sleeping).
3. Step 3: Recognize that PTSD can develop in individuals of any age, not exclusively in children. It affects adults as well, and the diagnosis is not limited by age.
4. Step 4: Understand the typical course of PTSD symptoms. Symptoms often persist beyond a few days and usually require some form of intervention or treatment to improve. They do not typically resolve spontaneously in a short time frame.
5. Step 5: Know that PTSD can result from various types of traumatic events, not only those involving physical injury. Emotional trauma, witnessing violence, or other distressing experiences can also lead to PTSD.