MCQ Ch- 9 Dissociative & related disorder Flashcards
Which statement best reflects the concept of “emotional numbing” in PTSD?
A. Constant crying and overwhelming sadness
B. Difficulty feeling positive emotions or connection to others
C. High levels of fear in response to minor stressors
D. Frequent panic attacks triggered by trauma reminders
B. Difficulty feeling positive emotions or connection to others perfectly describes emotional numbing in PTSD.
✨ Emotional numbing is part of the negative alterations in cognition and mood cluster. People with PTSD may feel:
Detached from others
Unable to experience joy, love, or satisfaction
Like they’re emotionally “shut off”
This isn’t sadness or panic — it’s that flat, disconnected feeling.
Which of the following is NOT a symptom cluster of PTSD according to DSM-5?
A. Intrusion
B. Avoidance
C. Hyperarousal
D. Dissociation
D. Dissociation is correct — it is not one of the main DSM-5 symptom clusters for PTSD.
The 4 main PTSD symptom clusters are:
Intrusion (e.g., flashbacks, nightmares)
Avoidance (e.g., avoiding reminders)
Negative alterations in cognition and mood
Hyperarousal (e.g., irritability, sleep issues)
Dissociation can occur in PTSD, especially in the dissociative subtype, but it’s not one of the core diagnostic clusters.
Which of the following is a biological explanation for PTSD?
A. Avoidant coping style
B. Dysfunction in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
C. Maladaptive thoughts about safety
D. Classical conditioning of fear response
B. Dysfunction in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
That’s a biological explanation for PTSD — the HPA axis is involved in how our body responds to stress. If it’s out of balance, the body may have a hard time regulating the stress response, which is often seen in PTSD.
Which treatment involves tracking a visual target while recalling traumatic memories?
A. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
B. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
C. Somatic Experiencing
D. Exposure Therapy
B is correct! 🔥
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is the therapy where:
You recall traumatic memories
While tracking a moving object (like a therapist’s finger)
It aims to help your brain reprocess the trauma in a less distressing way
Which of the following is not included in the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for PTSD?
A. Intrusion symptoms
B. Avoidance behaviors
C. Positive alterations in mood
D. Alterations in arousal and reactivity
C. Positive alterations in mood is not part of the DSM-5 criteria for PTSD.
Instead, the DSM-5 includes:
A. Intrusion symptoms
B. Avoidance behaviors
D. Alterations in arousal and reactivity
Negative alterations in cognitions and mood — not positive
What is the main difference between Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and PTSD?
A. ASD symptoms are more severe than PTSD.
B. PTSD only occurs in combat veterans.
C. ASD symptoms occur immediately and last 3 days to 1 month, while PTSD is diagnosed when symptoms persist for over a month.
D. PTSD involves hallucinations while ASD does not.
C is the right answer:
✅ Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) symptoms occur between 3 days and 1 month after a traumatic event.
✅ PTSD is diagnosed when symptoms persist for more than a month.
Which of the following is true about Dissociative Amnesia?
A. It always involves physical brain damage.
B. The person intentionally fakes memory loss to avoid stress.
C. It involves an inability to recall important autobiographical information, usually of a traumatic nature.
D. It is the same as generalized amnesia found in Alzheimer’s disease.
C is right: Dissociative Amnesia involves an inability to recall important autobiographical information, often related to trauma, and cannot be explained by ordinary forgetting. It’s a psychological response, not due to physical brain injury.
Which of the following is a core symptom of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)?
A. Severe flashbacks to the trauma
B. Recurrent gaps in recall of important personal information
C. Chronic feelings of detachment from reality
D. Exaggerated startle response
The answer is B. Recurrent gaps in recall of important personal information.
🧠 Why this is right:
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) involves:
The presence of two or more distinct personality states
Disruptions in memory, especially gaps in recalling important personal information, which is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness.
This memory loss is a core symptom and often occurs when one identity is not aware of the actions of the other.
Let’s go over the incorrect options too:
A. Severe flashbacks to the trauma → More characteristic of PTSD, not DID.
C. Chronic feelings of detachment from reality → This is more aligned with Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder.
D. Exaggerated startle response → Also more common in PTSD, especially with hyperarousal.
Which of the following is a biological explanation for PTSD?
A. PTSD is caused by classical conditioning of trauma-related stimuli
B. PTSD results from an overactive hippocampus that fails to properly integrate memories
C. PTSD is caused by social learning and modeling from others who have experienced trauma
D. PTSD develops due to distorted thinking patterns associated with trauma
B. PTSD results from an overactive hippocampus that fails to properly integrate memories.
📘 Explanation:
From a biological perspective, PTSD is linked to a dysregulation of the hippocampus, which plays a role in memory consolidation. In PTSD, the hippocampus doesn’t integrate traumatic memories properly, causing them to become “stuck” in the autonomic nervous system, leading to distorted emotional and cognitive responses.
Now, let’s break down the other options:
A. PTSD is caused by classical conditioning of trauma-related stimuli → This explanation comes from the behavioral perspective, not the biological one.
C. PTSD develops due to social learning and modeling → This is a learning theory explanation, not biological.
D. PTSD develops due to distorted thinking patterns → This is related to the cognitive perspective, not biological.
Which of the following is a core feature of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)?
A. The presence of two or more distinct personality states
B. Chronic memory loss of daily events
C. Persistent negative emotions about self
D. Hypervigilance or exaggerated startle response
A. The presence of two or more distinct personality states is the right answer!
📘 Explanation:
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is characterized by:
Two or more distinct personality states or identities.
There is often a discontinuity in sense of self and agency, accompanied by changes in memory, perception, and behavior.
Let’s quickly look at the other options:
B. Chronic memory loss of daily events → This could be part of DID, but it’s not the defining feature. Memory gaps are related, but the distinct personalities are what make DID unique.
C. Persistent negative emotions about self → More related to PTSD or mood disorders, not DID.
D. Hypervigilance or exaggerated startle response → This is part of PTSD and not DID.
Which of the following best distinguishes Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
A. The type of trauma experienced
B. The presence of dissociative symptoms
C. The number of symptoms in each category
D. The duration of symptoms
D. The duration of symptoms is the right answer!
📘 Explanation:
The key difference between Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is how long the symptoms last:
ASD: Symptoms last from 3 days to 1 month after the trauma.
PTSD: Symptoms last for more than 1 month.
The other options don’t quite capture the distinction:
A. Type of trauma: Both can result from similar types of trauma.
B. Dissociative symptoms: Can appear in both ASD and PTSD.
C. Number of symptoms: Both require meeting a certain number of criteria, but this isn’t the primary difference.
Which of the following is NOT one of the DSM-5 Criterion B (Intrusion Symptoms) for PTSD?
A. Nightmares related to the trauma
B. Intrusive thoughts
C. Avoidance of external reminders
D. Flashbacks (dissociation episodes)
C. Avoidance of external reminders is part of Criterion C: Avoidance, not Intrusion Symptoms (Criterion B).
Which of the following differentiates Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) from PTSD?
A. Only PTSD includes dissociative symptoms
B. ASD includes more symptom clusters than PTSD
C. ASD is diagnosed when symptoms last from 3 days to 1 month
D. PTSD symptoms begin immediately after the trauma
C. ASD is diagnosed when symptoms last from 3 days to 1 month is the right answer!
🧠 Explanation:
This is a key distinction between Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):
ASD: Duration is 3 days to 1 month following the trauma.
PTSD: Diagnosis is made if symptoms persist for more than 1 month.
Let’s quickly look at why the other options are incorrect:
A. Only PTSD includes dissociative symptoms → ❌ Wrong. ASD can also include dissociation.
B. ASD includes more symptom clusters than PTSD → ❌ False. PTSD has more specific cluster requirements.
D. PTSD symptoms begin immediately after the trauma → ❌ Not necessarily; onset can be delayed.
According to the DSM-5, which of the following Intrusion Symptoms is part of PTSD?
A. Avoiding trauma-related conversations
B. Exaggerated startle response
C. Persistent negative beliefs about oneself
D. Flashbacks or dissociative reactions
D. Flashbacks or dissociative reactions is the right answer!
📘 Explanation:
Flashbacks or dissociative reactions fall under Criterion B: Intrusion Symptoms for PTSD. These symptoms include:
Intrusive thoughts or memories
Nightmares
Dissociation/flashbacks
Psychological or physiological distress when reminded of the trauma
Let’s look at the other options:
A. Avoiding trauma-related conversations → That’s Avoidance (Criterion C)
B. Exaggerated startle response → Part of Arousal and Reactivity (Criterion E)
C. Negative beliefs about oneself → From Negative Cognitions and Mood (Criterion D)
Which of the following is NOT included in the DSM-5 changes to PTSD diagnosis from DSM-IV-TR?
A. Inclusion of self-destructive behavior
B. Addition of negative alterations in mood and cognition
C. Removal of the stressor criterion
D. Introduction of preschool and dissociative subtypes
C. Removal of the stressor criterion is the right answer — and a tricky one!
📘 Explanation:
The stressor criterion (Criterion A) was NOT removed in the DSM-5 — it’s still very much there! It requires exposure to:
Death or threatened death
Serious injury
Sexual violence
This exposure can be direct, witnessed, learned about indirectly, or through repeated/extreme exposure.
✅ DSM-5 changes did include:
🔹 Explicit inclusion of self-destructive behavior
🔹 Addition of negative mood and cognitions as a new symptom cluster
🔹 New preschool and dissociative subtypes for PTSD
According to the behavioral/learning perspective, how is PTSD best explained?
A. It results from unconscious sexual conflict
B. It is due to a biological brain injury
C. Traumatic stimuli become associated with conditioned stimuli, leading to anxiety
D. It is primarily a spiritual disorder caused by dissociation from the self
C. Traumatic stimuli become associated with conditioned stimuli, leading to anxiety is correct.
🧠 Explanation:
According to the behavioral/learning perspective:
PTSD develops through classical conditioning.
The traumatic event is an unconditioned stimulus (US).
Sights, sounds, smells (neutral things) present during the trauma become conditioned stimuli (CS).
Later, when the person encounters those stimuli, it elicits anxiety — a conditioned response (CR).
This explains why even a smell or sound can trigger panic in someone with PTSD.
Which of the following is NOT a symptom under Criterion B: Intrusion Symptoms for PTSD?
A. Nightmares
B. Dissociation/flashbacks
C. Avoiding reminders of the trauma
D. Psychological and physiological reactivity when exposed to trauma cues
C. Avoiding reminders of the trauma is not a Criterion B symptom.
🔍 Explanation:
Criterion B: Intrusion Symptoms includes:
Intrusive thoughts
Nightmares
Flashbacks/dissociation
Psychological distress at trauma cues
Physiological reactivity to trauma cues
➡️ Avoidance of thoughts, feelings, or external reminders actually falls under Criterion C: Avoidance.
Which of the following would NOT be considered a trauma under Criterion A for PTSD in the DSM-5?
A. Witnessing a fatal car accident
B. Learning that your close friend died by suicide
C. Experiencing emotional distress after failing an important exam
D. Being repeatedly exposed to details of abuse through your job as a child protection worker
C. Experiencing emotional distress after failing an important exam
🔍 Explanation:
Criterion A for PTSD in the DSM-5 includes:
Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence through:
Direct experience
Witnessing it
Learning it happened to someone close
Repeated or extreme exposure (e.g., first responders, child protection workers)
Failing an exam, while very stressful, does not meet the threshold for trauma under Criterion A.
Which of the following brain areas is most commonly associated with hyperactivity in PTSD, particularly in response to perceived threats?
A. Hippocampus
B. Prefrontal cortex
C. Amygdala
D. Corpus callosum
C. Amygdala
The amygdala is the brain’s fear center — it processes threats and emotions, especially fear and anger.
In PTSD, it becomes hyperactive, which is why:
People are hypervigilant
Easily startled
Overreact to cues that remind them of trauma
Let’s look at the rest real quick:
A. Hippocampus → involved in memory, especially distinguishing between past and present. In PTSD, it’s actually underactive or shrunken.
B. Prefrontal cortex → helps with rational thinking and regulation. In PTSD, it’s underactive, so people struggle to calm down emotionally.
D. Corpus callosum → just connects the two hemispheres of the brain. Not directly involved in PTSD symptoms.
Which of the following is considered a risk factor for developing PTSD?
A. Strong social support
B. History of mental health disorders
C. Limited exposure to trauma
D. Quick recovery from traumatic events
B. History of mental health disorders
✨ Explanation:
Risk factors for PTSD include factors that increase vulnerability to developing the disorder after experiencing trauma. A history of mental health disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression) can make a person more prone to developing PTSD after trauma because their emotional and cognitive coping systems may already be compromised.
Let’s break down the others:
A. Strong social support → Actually a protective factor, meaning it helps reduce the risk of developing PTSD.
C. Limited exposure to trauma → The more severe and frequent the trauma, the higher the risk, so this would not be a risk factor.
D. Quick recovery from traumatic events → This can indicate resilience, not a risk factor.
Which of the following is a core symptom of Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)?
A. Recurrent flashbacks
B. Emotional numbing
C. Difficulty sleeping
D. Duration of symptoms for at least 1 month
C. Difficulty sleeping
✨ Explanation:
Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) occurs right after a traumatic event and can last from 3 days to 1 month. Difficulty sleeping is a core symptom, often linked to hyperarousal — the state where the body is constantly on edge and unable to relax enough to sleep properly.
Here’s why the others are incorrect:
A. Recurrent flashbacks → This is more typical of PTSD, which lasts longer than ASD (1 month or more).
B. Emotional numbing → This symptom appears more frequently in PTSD, particularly with long-term trauma.
D. Duration of symptoms for at least 1 month → This applies to PTSD, not ASD. ASD is defined by 3 days to 1 month.
Which of the following treatments is primarily used for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
A. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
B. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
C. Antipsychotic medication
D. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
A. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the correct answer.
✨ Explanation:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the gold standard treatment for PTSD. It helps individuals reframe negative thoughts and feelings related to the traumatic event and teaches coping strategies to manage symptoms. A specific form of CBT for PTSD is called Trauma-Focused CBT.
Let’s quickly go over the other options:
B. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) → This is typically used for severe depression and is not a first-line treatment for PTSD.
C. Antipsychotic medication → Not typically used for PTSD, but may be prescribed in cases where individuals also have psychotic symptoms.
D. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) → This is more often used for depression and not a first-line treatment for PTSD.
