Question 1

With respect to the value of critical incident stress debriefing (CISD),

Accepted Answer

Despite its widespread use, there is no evidence that CISD prevents PTSD. In fact, some studies suggest that CISD may actually be harmful or ineffective in certain cases. Therefore, it may not be an appropriate or helpful intervention for all individuals who experience a critical incident.

Question 2

Jane has been diagnosed with PTSD and has begun seeing a psychotherapist.Which of the following will be the most important strategy for her therapist to employ to achieve long-term benefit?

Accepted Answer

Reexposure to the traumatic event, often through controlled therapeutic techniques like prolonged exposure therapy, is a key strategy in treating PTSD. It helps patients process the trauma and reduce the power it holds over them, leading to long-term benefits.

Question 3

The name "hysteria" (Greek for "uterus")reflects the erroneous idea that somatic symptom and dissociative disorders were caused by

Accepted Answer

The term "hysteria" historically reflects the erroneous belief that these disorders were specifically linked to women's reproductive systems and their frustrated desires to have children.

Question 4

The term given to positive changes resulting from trauma is

Accepted Answer

Posttraumatic growth refers to positive psychological changes resulting from a traumatic experience. It includes factors such as personal strength, increased appreciation for life, and positive changes in relationships and worldview. Hardiness refers to resilience in the face of stressors, but does not necessarily imply growth. Integration and meaning making can be part of the process of posttraumatic growth, but do not encompass all aspects of it.

Question 5

What is the single most common traumatic event that can lead to PTSD?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the single most common traumatic...

Question 6

What do the results from the study of twins who served in Vietnam suggest in regard to the biological factors in the cause of PTSD?

Accepted Answer

The study found that genetic factors were most significant in accounting for arousal/anxiety symptoms in PTSD among the twin veteran sample, suggesting a biological component in the development of these symptoms. However, this does not rule out the influence of environmental and situational factors as well.

Question 7

Research on social factors and the risk of posttraumatic stress disorder suggests a role of social support in the etiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).It was found that veterans

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that individuals who do not receive social support after exposure to trauma are at a higher risk for developing PTSD. While options A and B may seem plausible, there is no research supporting them. Option D is also incorrect as high social support through the Veterans Administration has been found to be a protective factor against the development of PTSD.

Question 8

What event seemed to trigger Dallae's case of dissociative fugue reported in your textbook?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What event seemed to trigger Dallae's case...

Question 9

Which of the following is the best description of the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Accepted Answer

PTSD is not solely determined by genetics or the severity of the trauma; rather, it is the result of a complex interaction between an individual's genetic makeup and environmental factors, such as exposure to traumatic events. Certain factors, such as a prior history of mental illness, may increase a person's vulnerability to developing PTSD.

Question 10

When people with PTSD are able to integrate the experience of trauma and find some broader reason or higher value for enduring it,they are engaging in the task of

Accepted Answer

Meaning making refers to the process of finding a broader purpose or value in a traumatic experience, which often involves integrating the experience into one's personal narrative and worldview. This can be a crucial part of post-traumatic growth and healing for individuals with PTSD. Emotional reintegration may be a related process, but it specifically involves re-engaging with suppressed or overwhelming emotions related to the trauma. Intellectualizing involves analyzing or rationalizing the trauma in a detached or objective way, which may not necessarily lead to emotional or psychological healing. Denial is a defense mechanism that involves avoiding or minimizing the reality of the trauma, and is generally considered to be an obstacle to growth and recovery for individuals with PTSD.

Question 11

A person with acute stress disorder is most likely to develop posttraumatic stress disorder when

Accepted Answer

Symptoms of numbing, depersonalization, and reliving the trauma are key features of both acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. Therefore, if these symptoms persist beyond the first month after the trauma, the person is likely to meet the criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder. The severity of the trauma and the possibility of death are not necessarily predictive of whether someone will develop posttraumatic stress disorder, but the presence of these factors may increase the likelihood of developing acute stress disorder. Complete amnesia for the traumatic event is unlikely to occur in most cases of posttraumatic stress disorder, as the person typically experiences intrusive memories or flashbacks of the event.

Question 12

What accounts for the reports of higher incidence rates of posttraumatic stress disorder in recent research?

Accepted Answer

Recent research has recognized that traumatic events such as rape are more common than previously thought, leading to higher reported incidence rates of PTSD.

Question 13

Your friend has just come from a therapist who has recommended eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for posttraumatic stress disorder.Because you are taking a course in abnormal psychology,your friend asks what you think.Based on the literature,what would you say?

Accepted Answer

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of psychotherapy that is used to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It involves the patient recalling distressing images while receiving one of several types of bilateral sensory input, such as side-to-side eye movements. The effectiveness of EMDR has been debated, but it is thought to work in part due to the elements of exposure therapy it incorporates, rather than having a solid theoretical basis in either classical or operant conditioning.

Question 14

Research on social factors and the risk for PTSD focuses primarily on the nature of the trauma,the individual's level of exposure to it,and __________________.

Accepted Answer

The availability of social support following the trauma plays a significant role in an individual's risk for developing PTSD. Social support can act as a protective factor against the development of PTSD and can aid in the recovery process.

Question 15

Which symptom of dissociative fugue can be used to distinguish fugue from the other dissociative disorders?

Accepted Answer

The symptom of purposeful, unplanned travel is key to distinguishing dissociative fugue from other dissociative disorders such as dissociative amnesia and depersonalization-derealization disorder. This is because dissociative fugue involves not only a loss of personal identity or memory but also unexpected and purposeful travel away from one's usual environment or daily routine, while the other dissociative disorders do not necessarily involve this aspect. The other options listed (A, B, and D) are not specific enough to be used to distinguish dissociative fugue from the other dissociative disorders.

Question 16

The National Comorbidity Study found that the course of posttraumatic stress disorder is best described as follows:

Accepted Answer

The National Comorbidity Study found that the course of PTSD tends to diminish gradually over time. While some individuals may fully recover, many may still report symptoms 10 years later. The study did not find a strong correlation between PTSD and severe alcohol or drug problems.

Question 17

A national study found that approximately ___ percent of the people in the United States suffered from PTSD at some point.

Accepted Answer

Approximately 7 percent of the people in the United States have suffered from PTSD at some point in their lives, according to national studies. This statistic reflects the prevalence of PTSD within the general population.

Question 18

Twin research shows that _______________ account(s)for IQ deficits that have been mistakenly attributed to brain damage due to trauma.

Accepted Answer

Twin research indicates that preexisting differences, such as genetic factors, contribute to IQ deficits that may be incorrectly attributed to brain damage caused by trauma.

Question 19

Which of the following types of medication is most often prescribed for PTSD?

Accepted Answer

Antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are most often prescribed for PTSD. This class of medication helps to regulate serotonin levels in the brain, which can improve symptoms of depression, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts associated with PTSD. Antianxiety medications and stimulants may be used as adjunct treatments, but are not typically the first line of defense for PTSD. Antihypertensive medications may be prescribed to manage symptoms of hyperarousal, but are not specific to treating PTSD itself.

Question 20

Following September 11,New York City college students had lower rates of PTSD if they were better at enhancing and suppressing emotional expression.This is an example of what psychologist Edna Foa calls emotional processing,which involves three key stages.Which of the following is one of her stages?

Accepted Answer

One of Edna Foa's stages of emotional processing is that victims must engage emotionally with their traumatic memories. This involves confronting and processing the emotions that are associated with the trauma, rather than trying to suppress or avoid them. This can help individuals to eventually come to terms with the event and reduce the likelihood of adverse psychological outcomes such as PTSD. Choices A, C, and D are not accurate stages of emotional processing as described by Foa.

Quiz 7: Acute and Posttraumatic Stress Disorders, Dissociative Disorders, and Somatic Symptom Disorders

With respect to the value of critical incident stress debriefing (CISD) ,