Question 1

Although about half of American adults are exposed to a trauma in their lifetime, what percentage of adults actually experience PTSD symptoms? This question is based on the Faces Interactive PTSD Module

Accepted Answer

About 8% of American adults experience PTSD symptoms, indicating that not everyone exposed to trauma will develop PTSD. This highlights the variability in individual responses to traumatic events.

Question 2

Fifteen years after the Vietnam War, what percentage of veterans still suffered from PTSD? This question is based on the Faces Interactive PTSD Module

Accepted Answer

Fifteen years after the Vietnam War, studies indicated that approximately 15% of Vietnam veterans were still suffering from PTSD.

Question 3

People with PTSD appear to always be on guard against a recurrence of the initial traumatic event. This symptom is most consistent with which of the following? This question is based on the Faces Interactive PTSD Module

Accepted Answer

Hypervigilance is characterized by a persistent state of heightened alertness and an exaggerated startle response. People with PTSD experience hypervigilance as they are always on guard for any potential threats or reminders of the traumatic event. This symptom is a core feature of PTSD. Choice A, survivor guilt, refers to the feelings of guilt that one survives while others do not. Choice B, re-experiencing the traumatic event, is the vivid recollections and nightmares about the trauma. Choice C, emotional numbing and detachment, refers to the lack of interest, feelings or pleasure towards activities, or social situations.

Question 4

The locus ceruleus are the blood vessels that expand during a panic attack.

Accepted Answer

The locus ceruleus is actually a small group of neurons in the brain that are involved in the stress response and panic attacks. They release norepinephrine, which triggers the fight-or-flight response. While blood vessels may expand during a panic attack, it is not specifically the locus ceruleus that causes this.

Question 5

Panic attacks are brief, intense periods in which an individual experiences numerous symptoms of anxiety.

Accepted Answer

Panic attacks are characterized by sudden and intense feelings of anxiety, often accompanied by physical symptoms such as chest pain, rapid heartbeat, and sweating. They typically last for a few minutes to an hour.

Question 6

What type of therapy helps a client challenge irrational beliefs and unhealthy thought patterns that may underlie their PTSD? This question is based on the Faces Interactive PTSD Module

Accepted Answer

Cognitive therapy, also known as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), is a type of therapy that helps clients challenge and modify their irrational beliefs and unhealthy thought patterns. It has been shown to be effective in treating PTSD by helping clients identify and change their negative thoughts about the traumatic event and their beliefs about themselves and the world.

Question 7

Norepinephrine is a drug used to treat anxiety disorders.

Accepted Answer

Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter and hormone involved in the body's stress response, not typically used as a drug to treat anxiety disorders. Medications for anxiety often include antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and others, but not norepinephrine itself.

Question 8

Which of the following PTSD symptoms does not belong with the others? This question is based on the Faces Interactive PTSD Module

Accepted Answer

The other symptoms listed (recurring dreams, distress in the presence of triggers, distressing recollections) are all examples of intrusive symptoms. Feelings of detachment and reduced interest, while a common symptom of PTSD, is not an intrusive symptom and therefore does not belong with the others.

Question 9

Which of the following statements is true concerning PTSD? This question is based on the Faces Interactive PTSD Module

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following statements is true...

Question 10

Which of the following symptoms of PTSD does not belong with the others? This question is based on the Faces Interactive PTSD Module

Accepted Answer

The other symptoms of PTSD are Avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event, Numbing of general responsiveness, and Feelings of detachment and diminished interest in things. Increased insomnia, irritability, and hypervigilance are symptoms of PTSD but do not fit with the other symptoms listed.

Question 11

The notion that fears are first learned through classical conditioning, and then become reinforced through avoidance behaviours (operant conditioning) is most consistent with which of the following models? This question is based on the Faces Interactive PTSD Module

Accepted Answer

Mower's two-factor model proposes that fears are first learned through classical conditioning and are then reinforced through avoidance behaviors in operant conditioning. This model is consistent with the notion that fears are learned through both classical and operant conditioning.

Question 12

Which form of treatment helps a person unlearn their fear by essentially reversing the classical conditioning process? This question is based on the Faces Interactive PTSD Module

Accepted Answer

Systematic desensitization involves gradually exposing the person to the feared object or situation while practicing relaxation techniques. This helps to reverse the classical conditioning process by replacing the fear response with relaxation.

Question 13

In addition to being effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD in clients, systematic desensitization has also been found to be effective in treating which disorder? This question is based on the Faces Interactive PTSD Module

Accepted Answer

Systematic desensitization has been found to be effective in treating simple phobias, as it involves gradually exposing the client to the feared object or situation while teaching relaxation techniques.

Question 14

Which of the following does not represent a key type of symptom experienced by people with PTSD? This question is based on the Faces Interactive PTSD Module

Accepted Answer

Catatonic behaviour is not considered a key type of symptom experienced by people with PTSD. The other options (re-experiencing the traumatic event, emotional numbing and detachment, hypervigilance) are common symptoms of PTSD.

Question 15

People with PTSD frequently also suffer depression and substance related disorders. What other type of disorders are commonly experienced by individuals with PTSD? This question is based on the Faces Interactive PTSD Module

Accepted Answer

Anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, are commonly experienced by individuals with PTSD. While eating disorders, dysthymic disorders, and psychotic disorders may occur in individuals with PTSD, they are not as commonly reported as anxiety disorders.

Question 16

Which of the following is least likely to have been a traumatic event for men with PTSD? This question is based on the Faces Interactive PTSD Module

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is least likely...

Question 17

A key feature in diagnosing PTSD is that a person must be confronted with a traumatic event. In addition, the person's response to the event must involve which of the following? This question is based on the Faces Interactive PTSD Module

Accepted Answer

The person's response to the traumatic event must involve fear, helplessness, or horror in order to be diagnosed with PTSD. While depression, nervousness, suicidal ideation, anger, self-hatred, self-criticism, paralysis, agitation, and motor delay may be present, they are not necessary for a diagnosis of PTSD.

Question 18

Which of the following is least likely to be involved in using systematic desensitization? This question is based on the Faces Interactive PTSD Module

Accepted Answer

Systematic desensitization involves gradual exposure to fear-provoking stimuli, starting with the least anxiety-provoking and working up to the most anxiety-provoking. Forcing the client to face their greatest fears first is not a part of systematic desensitization and could be harmful. Training the client to relax, helping them establish a fear hierarchy, and systematically exposing them to fear-provoking stimuli are all important components of systematic desensitization.

Question 19

Which of the following is true regarding PTSD in American civilians? This question is based on the Faces Interactive PTSD Module

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is true regarding...

Question 20

What form of conditioning is believed to contribute to the development of PTSD? This question is based on the Faces Interactive PTSD Module

Accepted Answer

Classical conditioning is believed to contribute to the development of PTSD. This occurs when a neutral stimulus (e.g. a sound or smell) becomes associated with a traumatic event and triggers a fear response in the individual. Over time, the neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus that elicits fear even in the absence of the traumatic event. This can lead to avoidance behaviors and heightened arousal in individuals with PTSD.

Quiz 7: Mood Disorders and Suicide