Question 1

Which of the following disorders consists of emotional and behavioral symptoms such as depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, or conduct disturbance behaviors that occur within three months of the experience of a stressor?

Accepted Answer

Adjustment disorder consists of emotional and behavioral symptoms such as depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, or conduct disturbance behaviors that occur within three months of the experience of a stressor. Agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety disorder are different disorders with their own criteria and symptoms.

Question 2

_____ refer to a set of physical and psychological responses that help us fight threats or flee from them.

Accepted Answer

The fight-or-flight response is a physiological and psychological reaction to a perceived threat or danger. It involves the activation of the sympathetic nervous system which triggers the release of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, which then increase heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate, while also directing blood flow away from non-essential organs and towards the muscles to prepare for physical activity. This response is also accompanied by psychological changes such as increased vigilance and focus, which help individuals either fight the threat or escape from it.

Question 3

Which of the following hormones is often used as a measure of stress?

Accepted Answer

Cortisol is often used as a measure of stress because it is released in response to stress and is involved in the body's stress response. It helps regulate blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and immune function, among other things.

Question 4

Janie's house was broken into, and the perpetrator brutally attacked her. Since the attack, she has withdrawn from family and friends. Janie is most likely:

Accepted Answer

Janie's withdrawal from family and friends is a common symptom of emotional numbness and detachment often experienced after a traumatic event. This can manifest as a lack of interest in social activities and a desire to isolate oneself from others. Hypervigilance and chronic arousal, reexperiencing the trauma, and showing signs of paranoia and delusions are other symptoms commonly associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, based on the information provided, emotional numbness and detachment appears to be the most likely symptom being exhibited by Janie.

Question 5

Which of the following bodily changes occurs when the hypothalamus activates the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

The spleen releases more red blood cells to help carry oxygen when the hypothalamus activates the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system. This is part of the "fight or flight" response, preparing the body for physical exertion by ensuring more oxygen is available to muscles.

Question 6

A study of adults in rural Mexico found that among underprivileged Latino communities, particularly women, _____ expresses the anger and frustration of "being at the bottom" and provides temporary release from the everyday burdens of life.

Accepted Answer

"Nervios" is a culturally specific term used by Latinx communities, particularly by women, to describe anxiety or nerves brought on by various social, economic, and personal stressors. It often signifies feelings of being overwhelmed and at the bottom, and can serve as a way to express anger and frustration.

Question 7

Which of the following is true of brain activities found in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) sufferers?

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that the hippocampus can shrink in individuals with PTSD due to overexposure to stress-related hormones and neurotransmitters.

Question 8

The hypothalamus activates the adrenal-cortical system by releasing _____, which signals the pituitary gland to secrete _____, the body's "major stress hormone."

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), which signals the pituitary gland to secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), leading to the release of cortisol from the adrenal cortex. Therefore, option D is the best choice. Option A is incorrect because cortisol is released by the adrenal cortex, not adrenaline. Option B is incorrect because CRF signals the pituitary gland to secrete ACTH, not adrenaline. Option C is incorrect because cortisol is released in response to ACTH, not directly from the hypothalamus.

Question 9

_____ to be diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and most of the other anxiety disorders including panic disorder, social anxiety disorders, and generalized anxiety disorder.

Accepted Answer

Women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with PTSD and most other anxiety disorders, according to research. Possible factors contributing to this gender difference include differences in biology, societal pressures and expectations, and experiences of trauma.

Question 10

Janie's house was broken into, and the perpetrator brutally attacked her. Since the attack, she has been overly cautious and watchful. The smallest noise startles her. If someone looks at her "strangely," she becomes very anxious. Janie is most likely:

Accepted Answer

Janie's symptoms of being overly cautious and watchful, startling easily, and becoming anxious when someone looks at her "strangely" suggest hypervigilance and chronic arousal, which are common symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Emotional numbness and detachment are symptoms of PTSD, but do not fit Janie's situation as she is clearly experiencing emotions related to fear and anxiety. Reexperiencing the trauma involves flashbacks or nightmares, which are not explicitly mentioned in the scenario. Deluded thinking is not mentioned as a symptom in the scenario.

Question 11

Which of the following environmental, social, and psychological factors increases an individual's vulnerability to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Accepted Answer

Experiencing the traumatic event first-hand is a major risk factor for developing PTSD. Other risk factors include a lack of social support, using avoidant coping strategies, experiencing prior trauma, and having pre-existing anxiety or depression symptoms. Option A is incorrect because having a strong support network can act as a protective factor against developing PTSD. Option C is incorrect because using non-avoidant coping strategies can also act as a protective factor. Option D is incorrect because having no prior anxiety or depression symptoms does not necessarily protect against developing PTSD.

Question 12

Which of the following statements is true of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Accepted Answer

Women are at a greater risk of developing PTSD than men, according to research. This is attributed to various factors, including the types of trauma women are more likely to experience, such as sexual violence, and differences in how men and women may process traumatic events.

Question 13

Which of the following statements is true about cross-cultural and gender differences in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that African Americans have higher rates of PTSD compared to Whites, Hispanics, and Asian Americans, likely due to a combination of factors including exposure to trauma, socioeconomic status, and discrimination.

Question 14

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a consequence of:

Accepted Answer

PTSD is a mental health disorder that occurs after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It is not caused by brain damage or changes in neurotransmitter levels, but rather by exposure to extreme stressors.

Question 15

Three years ago, Mark's mother passed away unexpectedly. Since her death, he has been unable to function at school, has lost interest in extracurricular activities, and gets agitated easily. Mark may be exhibiting the symptoms of _____.

Accepted Answer

Mark's symptoms of being unable to function at school, losing interest in activities, and getting agitated easily are consistent with persistent complex bereavement disorder, which is characterized by intense and prolonged grief after the death of a loved one. Acute stress disorder and adjustment disorder typically involve symptoms that arise shortly after a stressor, whereas Mark's symptoms have been ongoing for three years. General anxiety disorder involves excessive worry and anxiety about a variety of events or activities, which is not the primary symptom Mark is exhibiting.

Question 16

Which of the following is least likely to cause posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Accepted Answer

While childbirth can be a stressful experience, it is not typically associated with the type of trauma that can lead to PTSD. Natural disasters, physical abuse, and war-related trauma are all more commonly associated with PTSD.

Question 17

Which of the following is a key difference between adaptive fear responses and maladaptive anxiety responses?

Accepted Answer

The key difference between adaptive fear responses and maladaptive anxiety responses is that maladaptive responses are out of proportion to the threat, whereas adaptive responses are appropriate to the situation. Adaptive fear responses help individuals respond to real threats, whereas maladaptive anxiety responses are excessive and interfere with daily functioning.

Question 18

Janie's house was broken into, and the perpetrator brutally attacked her. Since then, she has been dreaming about the attack and often wakes up screaming and crying. According to Janie, she feels as though she is reliving the attack in each dream. Janie is most likely:

Accepted Answer

Janie's symptoms of dreaming about the attack and feeling like she is reliving it is a clear indication of reexperiencing the trauma. This is a common symptom of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Emotional numbness and detachment are also symptoms of PTSD, but they do not apply in this case. Hypervigilance refers to a heightened sense of alertness and is not mentioned in the scenario. Paranoia and delusions are not evident in the scenario either.

Question 19

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) sufferers are most likely to report _____ about having lived through a traumatic event.

Accepted Answer

Survivor guilt is a common experience reported by individuals with PTSD. This refers to feelings of guilt, shame, or remorse about surviving a traumatic event that others did not survive or about actions taken during the traumatic event. It can contribute to a sense of maladjustment after the event. Communication disorder, hysteria, and acceptance are not commonly reported by PTSD sufferers.

Question 20

People in Latino cultures report a syndrome known as _____, which might include trembling, heart palpitations, a sense of heat in the chest rising into the head, difficulty moving limbs, loss of consciousness, memory loss, paresthesia, chest tightness, dyspnea, dizziness, and faintness.

Accepted Answer

Ataque de nervios, also known as "attack of nerves," is a cultural syndrome commonly reported in Latino cultures. The symptoms include the ones listed in the question. Option B, amok, is a cultural syndrome reported in Southeast Asian cultures and is characterized by sudden outbursts of violence. C, mal de ojo, refers to the belief in the "evil eye" and its effects on individuals, while susto, D, is a cultural syndrome found in Latin America characterized by fright, shock, or soul loss.

Quiz 5: Trauma, Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, and Related Disorders