Which disorder involves haunting memories and avoidance after a traumatic event, with symptoms persisting for four weeks or more?

Which disorder involves haunting memories and avoidance after a traumatic event, with symptoms persisting for four weeks or more?

• A. Bipolar Disorder
• B. Major Depressive Disorder
• C. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• D. Panic Disorder

Answer: (C)

Persistent re-experiencing of a traumatic event along with avoidance that lasts for more than a month signals posttraumatic stress disorder. The pattern includes intrusive memories or distressing recollections (haunting memories), avoidance of reminders, and ongoing difficulties with mood and arousal that impair functioning. The four-week duration criterion matters because shorter, trauma-related symptoms could suggest Acute Stress Disorder, but PTSD requires symptoms to persist beyond four weeks. The other options describe mood or anxiety conditions that aren’t defined by trauma-triggered re-experiencing and avoidance: bipolar disorder centers on mood episodes; major depressive disorder involves pervasive depressive symptoms without trauma-specific intrusion and avoidance; panic disorder revolves around recurrent panic attacks rather than persistent trauma-related memories and avoidance. So the description best fits posttraumatic stress disorder.

Persistent re-experiencing of a traumatic event along with avoidance that lasts for more than a month signals posttraumatic stress disorder. The pattern includes intrusive memories or distressing recollections (haunting memories), avoidance of reminders, and ongoing difficulties with mood and arousal that impair functioning. The four-week duration criterion matters because shorter, trauma-related symptoms could suggest Acute Stress Disorder, but PTSD requires symptoms to persist beyond four weeks. The other options describe mood or anxiety conditions that aren’t defined by trauma-triggered re-experiencing and avoidance: bipolar disorder centers on mood episodes; major depressive disorder involves pervasive depressive symptoms without trauma-specific intrusion and avoidance; panic disorder revolves around recurrent panic attacks rather than persistent trauma-related memories and avoidance. So the description best fits posttraumatic stress disorder.