EMDR Trauma & PTSD Diagnostic Criteria 5

Question 1

Which factor is considered the strongest predictor of PTSD development following trauma exposure?

Accepted Answer

Severity of the traumatic event and peritraumatic dissociation

Answer

Perceived threat severity and peritraumatic dissociation are among the strongest predictors of subsequent PTSD development.

Question 2

A client with PTSD reports feeling like the world is completely dangerous and that they are permanently damaged. Under DSM-5, these cognitions are best categorized as:

Accepted Answer

Persistent negative beliefs about the world and oneself (Criterion D)

Answer

Persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs about oneself or the world are specifically listed under Criterion D of DSM-5 PTSD.

Question 3

Secondary traumatization (vicarious trauma) in therapists treating trauma survivors differs from a DSM-5 PTSD diagnosis primarily because:

Accepted Answer

It does not result from direct or indirect personal exposure to a Criterion A stressor through therapeutic work (unless qualifying media/professional exposure)

Answer

Indirect exposure through empathic engagement with clients' trauma narratives does not automatically meet DSM-5 Criterion A unless it involves repeated/extreme exposure in a professional context.

Question 4

A combat veteran meets criteria for PTSD. He also reports hearing the voice of a deceased comrade during flashbacks. How should this be understood diagnostically?

Accepted Answer

Trauma-related dissociative flashbacks can include auditory phenomena and do not automatically indicate psychosis

Answer

Trauma-related flashbacks can include auditory, visual, and other sensory phenomena without indicating psychosis; context and the trauma link are key differentiators.

Question 5

Which neurobiology finding is most consistently associated with PTSD?

Accepted Answer

Reduced hippocampal volume and hyperreactive amygdala

Answer

PTSD is consistently associated with reduced hippocampal volume and hyperreactivity of the amygdala, reflecting deficits in fear extinction and memory contextualization.

(EMDR) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Practice Test

(EMDR) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Practice Test

EMDR Trauma & PTSD Diagnostic Criteria 5