Which category includes PTSD and Acute Stress Disorder?

Which category includes PTSD and Acute Stress Disorder?

• A. Trauma- and stressor-related disorders
• B. Mood disorders
• C. Neurodevelopmental disorders
• D. Somatic symptom disorders

Answer: (A)

The key idea is how these disorders are categorized based on what triggers them. PTSD and Acute Stress Disorder are both driven by exposure to a traumatic event, and their defining feature is the trauma-related stress response that follows. In the DSM-5, they’re grouped together as trauma- and stressor-related disorders to reflect that the central issue is the reaction to a traumatic experience, not primarily mood problems, developmental delays, or physical symptom concerns. PTSD involves persistent symptoms such as intrusion, avoidance, negative changes in thoughts and mood, and heightened arousal lasting more than a month. Acute Stress Disorder involves similar symptoms but only from 3 days to 1 month after the event. The other categories don’t fit because mood disorders focus on mood disturbances, neurodevelopmental disorders on early-life developmental issues, and somatic symptom disorders on physical symptoms with health concerns.

The key idea is how these disorders are categorized based on what triggers them. PTSD and Acute Stress Disorder are both driven by exposure to a traumatic event, and their defining feature is the trauma-related stress response that follows. In the DSM-5, they’re grouped together as trauma- and stressor-related disorders to reflect that the central issue is the reaction to a traumatic experience, not primarily mood problems, developmental delays, or physical symptom concerns. PTSD involves persistent symptoms such as intrusion, avoidance, negative changes in thoughts and mood, and heightened arousal lasting more than a month. Acute Stress Disorder involves similar symptoms but only from 3 days to 1 month after the event. The other categories don’t fit because mood disorders focus on mood disturbances, neurodevelopmental disorders on early-life developmental issues, and somatic symptom disorders on physical symptoms with health concerns.