Question 1

First responders to traumatic events do not develop PTSD.

Accepted Answer

First responders to traumatic events are at risk for developing PTSD, just like anyone else who experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. While they may have training and coping mechanisms in place to help them deal with the stress of their job, the nature of their work can still have a significant impact on their mental health.

Question 2

It is estimated that between 5% and 20% of people receiving outpatient mental health services present with a diagnosis of adjustment disorder (APA, 2013).

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The American Psychiatric Association estimates that between 5% and 20% of people receiving outpatient mental health services have an adjustment disorder diagnosis.

Question 3

An adjustment disorder is a maladaptive reaction to a distressing life event or stressor that develops within 3 years of the onset of the stressor.

Accepted Answer

An adjustment disorder typically develops within 3 months of the onset of a distressing life event or stressor, not 3 years.

Question 4

A person with acute stress disorder may have problems sleeping; may develop irritable or aggressive behavior or exhibit an exaggerated startle response to sudden noises.

Accepted Answer

These are common symptoms of acute stress disorder, along with intense feelings of anxiety or fear, re-experiencing the traumatic event through flashbacks or nightmares, and avoidance of anything that may trigger memories of the event.

Question 5

High rates of PTSD are found among earthquake and hurricane survivors in many countries.

Accepted Answer

Numerous studies have shown high rates of PTSD among earthquake and hurricane survivors, as well as other natural disaster survivors, in many countries around the world.

Question 6

In order to be diagnosed with acute stress disorder, the person with acute stress disorder must have been directly exposed to the trauma.

Accepted Answer

Acute stress disorder can be diagnosed in individuals who have been directly exposed to trauma, but it can also be diagnosed in those who have learned about a traumatic event happening to a close family member or friend, or those who have experienced repeated or extreme exposure to aversive details of traumatic events (e.g., first responders, police officers).

Question 7

Posttraumatic stress disorder is a prolonged maladaptive reaction that lasts longer than one month after the traumatic experience.

Accepted Answer

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It is a prolonged maladaptive reaction that lasts longer than one month after the traumatic experience. Symptoms may include flashbacks, avoidance behaviors, hyperarousal, and negative changes in mood and cognition.

Question 8

If the adjustment disorder lasts for more than one month after the stressor (or its consequences) has been removed, the diagnosis may be changed.

Accepted Answer

The answer of If the adjustment disorder lasts for more...

Question 9

Traumatic stress disorders are characterized by maladaptive patterns of behavior in response
to trauma that involve marked personal distress or significant impairment of functioning.

Accepted Answer

Traumatic stress disorders are indeed characterized by maladaptive patterns of behavior in response to trauma that involve marked personal distress or significant impairment of functioning.

Question 10

For the diagnosis of an adjustment disorder to apply, the stress-related reaction must be sufficient enough to also meet the diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder and a mood disorder.

Accepted Answer

To be diagnosed with an adjustment disorder, the stress-related reaction does not need to meet the full diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder or a mood disorder. It only needs to cause significant distress or impairment in functioning.

Question 11

Stronger or more persistent symptoms of dissociation around the time of the trauma is associated with a greater likelihood of later development of PTSD.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that individuals who experience stronger or more persistent symptoms of dissociation around the time of the trauma are more likely to develop PTSD later on. Dissociation involves a disconnection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and may include symptoms such as feeling detached or numb, losing track of time, or experiencing a sense of unreality. These dissociative symptoms may interfere with the individual's ability to process the traumatic event and may increase their risk for developing PTSD.

Question 12

In acute stress disorder, the person shows a maladaptive pattern of behavior many months following exposure to a traumatic event.

Accepted Answer

In acute stress disorder, the maladaptive pattern of behavior occurs within one month following exposure to a traumatic event. If the symptoms persist beyond one month, the diagnosis may be changed to post-traumatic stress disorder.

Question 13

In acute stress disorder, the traumatic event may involve exposure to either actual or threatened death, a serious accident, or a sexual violation.

Accepted Answer

Acute stress disorder is a psychological condition that may develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the traumatic event may involve exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violation.

Question 14

For a diagnosis of acute stress disorder, the traumatic events can only include a sexual violation.

Accepted Answer

The traumatic events that can lead to a diagnosis of acute stress disorder are not limited to sexual violations. It can include any event that involves actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence to oneself or others.

Question 15

In acute stress disorder, the person shows a maladaptive pattern of behavior many months following exposure to a traumatic event.

Accepted Answer

Acute stress disorder occurs within one month of exposure to a traumatic event and the maladaptive pattern of behavior lasts for a maximum of one month. If symptoms persist beyond one month, a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be considered.

Question 16

About 50% of combat veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have developed PTSD.

Accepted Answer

While a significant number of combat veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan have developed PTSD, estimates typically range from about 11% to 20% for those wars, not as high as 50%.

Question 17

In acute stress disorder, the person with acute stress disorder may have been directly exposed to the trauma, witnessed other people experiencing the trauma, or learned about a trauma experienced by a close friend or family member.

Accepted Answer

Acute stress disorder can be caused by direct exposure to trauma, witnessing trauma, or learning about a traumatic event experienced by someone close to them.

Question 18

Individuals with traumatic stress disorders do not exhibit difficulty effectively meeting daily responsibilities.

Accepted Answer

Individuals with traumatic stress disorders may exhibit difficulty meeting daily responsibilities due to symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, avoidance behaviors, and mood changes.

Question 19

People with acute stress disorder may feel they are "in a daze" or that the world seems like a dreamlike or unreal place.

Accepted Answer

People with acute stress disorder may experience symptoms such as dissociation, depersonalization, and derealization, which can make the world feel dreamlike and unreal.

Question 20

One of the common features of PTSD is that the person may feel "numb" inside and lose the ability to have loving feelings.

Accepted Answer

This is true. It is common for individuals with PTSD to experience emotional numbness or a lack of positive emotions such as love, joy or happiness. This can contribute to difficulties in forming and maintaining relationships.

Quiz 4: Stress-Related Disorders

First responders to traumatic events do not develop PTSD.

It is estimated that between 5% and 20% of people receiving outpatient mental health services present with a diagnosis of adjustment disorder (APA, 2013).

An adjustment disorder is a maladaptive reaction to a distressing life event or stressor that develops within 3 years of the onset of the stressor.

A person with acute stress disorder may have problems sleeping; may develop irritable or aggressive behavior or exhibit an exaggerated startle response to sudden noises.

High rates of PTSD are found among earthquake and hurricane survivors in many countries.

In order to be diagnosed with acute stress disorder, the person with acute stress disorder must have been directly exposed to the trauma.

Posttraumatic stress disorder is a prolonged maladaptive reaction that lasts longer than one month after the traumatic experience.

If the adjustment disorder lasts for more than one month after the stressor (or its consequences) has been removed, the diagnosis may be changed.

Traumatic stress disorders are characterized by maladaptive patterns of behavior in response to trauma that involve marked personal distress or significant impairment of functioning.

For the diagnosis of an adjustment disorder to apply, the stress-related reaction must be sufficient enough to also meet the diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder and a mood disorder.

Stronger or more persistent symptoms of dissociation around the time of the trauma is associated with a greater likelihood of later development of PTSD.

In acute stress disorder, the person shows a maladaptive pattern of behavior many months following exposure to a traumatic event.

In acute stress disorder, the traumatic event may involve exposure to either actual or threatened death, a serious accident, or a sexual violation.

For a diagnosis of acute stress disorder, the traumatic events can only include a sexual violation.

In acute stress disorder, the person shows a maladaptive pattern of behavior many months following exposure to a traumatic event.

About 50% of combat veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have developed PTSD.

In acute stress disorder, the person with acute stress disorder may have been directly exposed to the trauma, witnessed other people experiencing the trauma, or learned about a trauma experienced by a close friend or family member.

Individuals with traumatic stress disorders do not exhibit difficulty effectively meeting daily responsibilities.

People with acute stress disorder may feel they are "in a daze" or that the world seems like a dreamlike or unreal place.

One of the common features of PTSD is that the person may feel "numb" inside and lose the ability to have loving feelings.