Post-traumatic stress disorder is characterized by which features lasting more than one month and impairing functioning?

• A. Transient condition resolved within a week
• B. Primarily elevated mood and energy
• C. A chronic condition with intrusive memories, avoidance, negative mood, and hyperarousal
• D. Affects only children

Answer: (C)

Post-traumatic stress disorder is defined by a persistent pattern of symptoms after trauma that fall into four clusters—intrusive memories or flashbacks, avoidance of reminders, negative changes in thoughts or mood, and heightened arousal or reactivity. Crucially, these symptoms must last longer than one month and cause clear impairment in functioning. The best description among the options captures exactly this combination: a chronic condition with intrusive memories, avoidance, negative mood, and hyperarousal that persists beyond one month and impairs functioning. That duration and level of impact distinguish PTSD from short-lived reactions or other conditions. In contrast, a transient condition resolving within a week isn’t PTSD, elevated mood and energy point to mania, and PTSD isn’t limited to children.