A nurse is assessing a client who has experienced a traumatic event. Which of the following is a re-experiencing symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
A Avoiding thoughts, feelings, people, places, or activities associated with the trauma.
B Having persistent negative beliefs and emotions.
C Experiencing intrusive and distressing memories of the trauma.
D Feeling detached or estranged from others.
The Correct answer and Explanation is: The correct answer is C) Experiencing intrusive and distressing memories of the trauma.
Explanation:
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after a person is exposed to a traumatic event, such as violence, natural disasters, or serious accidents. PTSD is characterized by four main symptom clusters: re-experiencing the traumatic event, avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, negative alterations in cognition and mood, and alterations in arousal and reactivity.
The focus here is on re-experiencing symptoms. Re-experiencing refers to the involuntary and distressing reliving of the traumatic event. This symptom cluster can manifest in various ways, including:
- Intrusive Memories: The most common re-experiencing symptom, where the individual frequently and involuntarily recalls distressing memories of the traumatic event. These memories can be vivid and feel as if the event is happening again, leading to significant distress.
- Flashbacks: A type of intrusive memory where the individual feels as though they are reliving the traumatic event in the present moment. This can be so intense that the person loses awareness of their current surroundings.
- Nightmares: Recurrent distressing dreams in which the traumatic event is replayed. These nightmares often cause significant disruption to sleep.
- Emotional and Physical Reactions: Upon encountering reminders of the trauma, the individual may experience strong emotional reactions (e.g., fear, anger, sadness) or physical symptoms such as sweating, rapid heartbeat, or shortness of breath.
The other options describe symptoms that fall into different categories of PTSD:
- A) Avoiding thoughts, feelings, people, places, or activities associated with the trauma: This describes avoidance symptoms, where the individual consciously avoids anything that could trigger memories of the trauma.
- B) Having persistent negative beliefs and emotions: This falls under negative alterations in cognition and mood, where the person may feel persistent negative emotions like guilt, shame, or fear, and hold negative beliefs about themselves or the world.
- D) Feeling detached or estranged from others: This is another example of negative alterations in cognition and mood, reflecting emotional numbness and difficulty in connecting with others.
In summary, the hallmark of re-experiencing symptoms in PTSD is the involuntary and distressing recurrence of the traumatic event in the form of intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares. These symptoms are central to the diagnosis of PTSD and significantly impact the affected individual’s daily life.