Which disorder is described by haunting memories, nightmares, social withdrawal, jumpy anxiety, numbness, and insomnia that persist four weeks or more after trauma?

Which disorder is described by haunting memories, nightmares, social withdrawal, jumpy anxiety, numbness, and insomnia that persist four weeks or more after trauma?

• A. PTSD
• B. Adjustment disorder
• C. Acute stress disorder
• D. Generalized anxiety disorder

Answer: (A)

Posttraumatic stress disorder is diagnosed when trauma-related symptoms persist for longer than about a month after the event, bringing intrusion, avoidance, negative mood or cognitions, and heightened arousal. The described signs fit this pattern: haunting memories and nightmares are classic intrusion symptoms, social withdrawal and numbness reflect avoidance and emotional numbing, and jumpy anxiety along with insomnia show hyperarousal. The key detail is the duration—four weeks or more after the trauma—marking the shift from acute, time-limited reactions to a disorder characterized by persistent symptoms. Acute stress disorder can have similar features but is limited to within the first month after the trauma; if the symptoms continue beyond that window, PTSD is the more accurate diagnosis. Adjustment disorder involves distress in response to a stressor but lacks the full trauma-related symptom cluster and the sustained, trauma-specific pattern. Generalized anxiety disorder centers on chronic worry across multiple areas, not specifically tied to a traumatic event or re-experiencing.

Posttraumatic stress disorder is diagnosed when trauma-related symptoms persist for longer than about a month after the event, bringing intrusion, avoidance, negative mood or cognitions, and heightened arousal. The described signs fit this pattern: haunting memories and nightmares are classic intrusion symptoms, social withdrawal and numbness reflect avoidance and emotional numbing, and jumpy anxiety along with insomnia show hyperarousal. The key detail is the duration—four weeks or more after the trauma—marking the shift from acute, time-limited reactions to a disorder characterized by persistent symptoms. Acute stress disorder can have similar features but is limited to within the first month after the trauma; if the symptoms continue beyond that window, PTSD is the more accurate diagnosis. Adjustment disorder involves distress in response to a stressor but lacks the full trauma-related symptom cluster and the sustained, trauma-specific pattern. Generalized anxiety disorder centers on chronic worry across multiple areas, not specifically tied to a traumatic event or re-experiencing.