Which behavior is listed as a PTSD symptom?

Which behavior is listed as a PTSD symptom?

• A. Irritable and aggressive behavior
• B. Joyful and outgoing behavior
• C. Perfect recall of events
• D. Excessive sleeping

Answer: (A)

Irritable and aggressive behavior is a PTSD symptom because PTSD includes a pattern of heightened arousal and reactivity after trauma. This can show up as irritability, angry outbursts, hypervigilance, and trouble with sleep or concentration. The body stays in a state of readiness to respond to perceived threats, which often leads to losing temper quickly or reacting aggressively. The other options don’t fit this pattern: being joyful and outgoing isn’t typical for someone experiencing PTSD-related distress; perfect recall of events isn’t accurate—PTSD more commonly involves distressing, intrusive memories rather than flawless memory; and excessive sleeping isn’t a hallmark of PTSD—the sleep disturbances usually involve insomnia or nightmares rather than sleeping too much.

Irritable and aggressive behavior is a PTSD symptom because PTSD includes a pattern of heightened arousal and reactivity after trauma. This can show up as irritability, angry outbursts, hypervigilance, and trouble with sleep or concentration. The body stays in a state of readiness to respond to perceived threats, which often leads to losing temper quickly or reacting aggressively.

The other options don’t fit this pattern: being joyful and outgoing isn’t typical for someone experiencing PTSD-related distress; perfect recall of events isn’t accurate—PTSD more commonly involves distressing, intrusive memories rather than flawless memory; and excessive sleeping isn’t a hallmark of PTSD—the sleep disturbances usually involve insomnia or nightmares rather than sleeping too much.