Which term describes a pattern of biological stress responses that may develop after a single stressful event?

Which term describes a pattern of biological stress responses that may develop after a single stressful event?

• A. Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• B. Acute stress
• C. Traumatic stress
• D. Routine stress

Answer: (A)

Post-traumatic stress disorder describes a pattern of biological and psychological responses that can develop after exposure to a traumatic event, even a single one. When a person experiences trauma, the body's stress systems—like the sympathetic nervous system and the HPA axis—can become dysregulated. This leads to a lasting pattern of symptoms such as intrusive memories or flashbacks, avoidance of reminders, negative changes in thoughts and mood, and heightened arousal (hypervigilance, sleep problems, exaggerated startle). If these symptoms persist for more than a month and interfere with daily functioning, they characterize PTSD. Other terms don’t capture this enduring, trauma-related pattern. Acute stress refers to the immediate, short-term reaction right after a stressor. Traumatic stress isn’t a standard clinical diagnosis, and routine stress describes ordinary life stressors that don’t reach the level of a trauma-related disorder.

Post-traumatic stress disorder describes a pattern of biological and psychological responses that can develop after exposure to a traumatic event, even a single one. When a person experiences trauma, the body's stress systems—like the sympathetic nervous system and the HPA axis—can become dysregulated. This leads to a lasting pattern of symptoms such as intrusive memories or flashbacks, avoidance of reminders, negative changes in thoughts and mood, and heightened arousal (hypervigilance, sleep problems, exaggerated startle). If these symptoms persist for more than a month and interfere with daily functioning, they characterize PTSD.

Other terms don’t capture this enduring, trauma-related pattern. Acute stress refers to the immediate, short-term reaction right after a stressor. Traumatic stress isn’t a standard clinical diagnosis, and routine stress describes ordinary life stressors that don’t reach the level of a trauma-related disorder.