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 one 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 of these BEST distinguishes PTSD from a normal reaction to a traumatic event?

Question

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 one 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 of these BEST distinguishes PTSD from a normal reaction to a traumatic event?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The best distinction between PTSD and a normal reaction to a traumatic event is symptom-related distress that does not lessen with time. While stress hormones, unwanted thoughts about the trauma, and exaggerated anxiety when reminded of the trauma may occur in both PTSD and a normal reaction, the persistence of symptoms beyond one month is indicative of PTSD.

Scenario I The Following Scenario Presents Fabricated Data Consistent with the Results