Use the following to answer questions
Scenario I
The following scenario presents fabricated data consistent with the results of the following study:
Gilbertson,M.W. ,Shenton,M.E. ,Ciszewski,A. ,Kasai,K. ,Lasko,N .B. ,Orr,S.P. ,& Pitman,R.K.(2002).Smaller hippocampal volume predicts pathologic vulnerability to psychological trauma.Nature Neuroscience,5,1242-1247.
Persons who live through a traumatic experience may develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).PTSD is characterized by chronic physiological arousal,recurrent unwanted thoughts or images,and avoidance of things that bring the trauma to mind,with symptoms persisting for more than 1 month.Persons with PTSD also are at risk for other psychological disorders,with substance abuse disorder being a common comorbid diagnosis.In the last two decades,a number of studies have demonstrated that persons with PTSD have smaller hippocampi than controls.This may result from the neurotoxic effects of stress hormones examined the hippocampal volume of combat veterans with and without PTSD who each had an identical twin who never served in the military.Fabricated results consistent with this study are shown in Figure 15.1.
Figure 15.1
-(Scenario I)Which conclusion is STRONGEST,justified solely on the basis that comorbidity exists between PTSD and alcoholism?
A)PTSD and alcoholism tend to co-occur in the same individuals.
B)Trauma-induced changes leave the brain particularly sensitive to the effects of alcohol.
C)The two disorders have the same underlying cause.
D)Trauma survivors drink because it reduces their stress levels.

Question

Use the following to answer questions 
Scenario I
The following scenario presents fabricated data consistent with the results of the following study:
Gilbertson,M.W. ,Shenton,M.E. ,Ciszewski,A. ,Kasai,K. ,Lasko,N .B. ,Orr,S.P. ,& Pitman,R.K.(2002).Smaller hippocampal volume predicts pathologic vulnerability to psychological trauma.Nature Neuroscience,5,1242-1247.
Persons who live through a traumatic experience may develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).PTSD is characterized by chronic physiological arousal,recurrent unwanted thoughts or images,and avoidance of things that bring the trauma to mind,with symptoms persisting for more than 1 month.Persons with PTSD also are at risk for other psychological disorders,with substance abuse disorder being a common comorbid diagnosis.In the last two decades,a number of studies have demonstrated that persons with PTSD have smaller hippocampi than controls.This may result from the neurotoxic effects of stress hormones examined the hippocampal volume of combat veterans with and without PTSD who each had an identical twin who never served in the military.Fabricated results consistent with this study are shown in Figure 15.1.
Figure 15.1 
-(Scenario I)Which conclusion is STRONGEST,justified solely on the basis that comorbidity exists between PTSD and alcoholism?
A)PTSD and alcoholism tend to co-occur in the same individuals. 
B)Trauma-induced changes leave the brain particularly sensitive to the effects of alcohol. 
C)The two disorders have the same underlying cause. 
D)Trauma survivors drink because it reduces their stress levels.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The strongest conclusion that can be drawn solely on the basis of the comorbidity between PTSD and alcoholism is that PTSD and alcoholism tend to co-occur in the same individuals. This is because there are numerous studies that show a strong association between these two disorders, with individuals with PTSD being at a higher risk for developing alcohol use disorder. However, it is important to note that the comorbidity between these disorders does not necessarily mean that they have the same underlying cause, nor does it mean that trauma survivors drink because it reduces their stress levels.

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