Trauma-related disorders: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Trauma-related disorders

Sample item

Six weeks after a road accident in which a friend died, a man has recurrent nightmares and flashbacks, avoids travelling by road, and is hypervigilant with an exaggerated startle response. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Post-traumatic stress disorder

PTSD has re-experiencing, avoidance, negative alterations in mood and cognition, and hyperarousal lasting more than one month after a traumatic event. Acute stress disorder describes similar symptoms lasting 3 days to 1 month. Trauma-focused cognitive behaviour therapy and SSRIs are first-line.

Option by option

  • A. Generalised anxiety disorder

    Generalised anxiety disorder has diffuse worry and is not tied to a traumatic event.

  • B. Post-traumatic stress disorder (correct)

    Correct. Intrusion, avoidance and hyperarousal for longer than a month after trauma indicate PTSD.

  • C. Acute stress disorder

    Acute stress disorder is limited to the first month after the trauma.

  • D. Adjustment disorder

    Adjustment disorder follows a stressor but lacks the full trauma-specific symptom cluster.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is B, Post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD has re-experiencing, avoidance, negative alterations in mood and cognition, and hyperarousal lasting more than one month after a traumatic event.

Why is "Generalised anxiety disorder" not the answer?

Generalised anxiety disorder has diffuse worry and is not tied to a traumatic event.

Why is "Acute stress disorder" not the answer?

Acute stress disorder is limited to the first month after the trauma.

Why is "Adjustment disorder" not the answer?

Adjustment disorder follows a stressor but lacks the full trauma-specific symptom cluster.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Trauma-related disorders in Psychiatry. Acute stress disorder describes similar symptoms lasting 3 days to 1 month. Trauma-focused cognitive behaviour therapy and SSRIs are first-line.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Trauma-related disorders?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.