Question

Symptoms of PTSD include all of the following except _____. a. intrusive thoughts or memories of a traumatic event b. avoidance of things that remind one of a traumatic event c. jumpiness d. physical complaints that cannot be explained medically

Short answer

The correct answer is d. physical complaints that cannot be explained medically

Step-by-step solution

Understanding PTSD

PTSD, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a condition that can develop after an individual has experienced a traumatic event. Symptoms often involve intrusive thoughts or memories of the event (option a), avoidance of things that remind one of the traumatic event (option b), and hyperarousal symptoms like being easily startled or feeling jumpy (option c).

Eliminating Irrelevant Options

From the understanding of PTSD, it is clear that all the options a, b, and c are symptoms of PTSD. This leaves us with option d.

Evaluating the Remaining Option

Option d mentions physical complaints that cannot be explained medically. While individuals with PTSD might experience certain physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches, these are usually due to the psychological stress rather than being a primary symptom of PTSD. Therefore, this is the symptom not commonly associated with PTSD.

Key concepts

Intrusive Thoughts

Intrusive thoughts are a common symptom of PTSD. These are unwanted, involuntary memories, images, or distressing ideas that repeatedly occupy a person's mind. They can be very vivid and feel like reliving the traumatic event all over again. This reliving can be triggered by certain reminders of the trauma, such as places, sounds, or even smells.

• These thoughts can come at any time, even when you least expect it.
• They can be so intense that they feel like a flashback, making it difficult to concentrate on anything else.

While intrusive thoughts are mentally exhausting, they are part of the healing process as your brain tries to make sense of what happened.

Traumatic Event Avoidance

Avoidance is another key symptom of PTSD. It involves staying away from people, places, or situations that remind the person of the traumatic event. The avoidance can be so extensive that it affects daily life and can keep someone from engaging in social activities or fulfilling work commitments.

• Some might avoid discussing their trauma or anything related to it.
• They might change their daily routine just to prevent encountering reminders.

This avoidance helps manage the emotional pain that reminders can bring, but it can also isolate individuals from supportive environments.

Hyperarousal Symptoms

Hyperarousal in PTSD is when the body is in a heightened state of alertness, a feeling often described as being on "high alert". It can lead to sleep problems, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Jumpiness or being easily startled is a common sign of hyperarousal.

• This symptom keeps individuals constantly prepared for danger.
• It can trigger unwanted responses to loud noises or sudden surprises.

This heightened state is the body's way of protecting itself after trauma, but it can also be exhausting and impact the quality of life.

Psychological Stress Responses

Psychological stress responses are reactions that your mind and body have to stressors, often seen in PTSD cases. These reactions differ from person to person but share a common underlying cause—prolonged psychological stress from the traumatic event. Symptoms can manifest both mentally and physically.

• Mentally, it may involve anxiety, depression, and feelings of hopelessness.
• Physically, stress can lead to headaches, fatigue, or an upset stomach.

Understanding these responses is crucial for devising strategies to manage stress and improve overall well-being.