PTSD Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the PTSD exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 PTSD Exam Format at a Glance
📚 PTSD Topics to Study (21)
✍️ Sample PTSD Questions & Answers
1. Which self-regulation skill is commonly taught in PTSD recovery programs to manage acute distress?
Diaphragmatic breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system to reduce acute hyperarousal, while grounding techniques interrupt flashbacks and dissociation.
2. Which social factor is most consistently identified as protective against PTSD development after trauma?
Strong social support networks are among the most robust protective factors against PTSD, buffering the impact of trauma and facilitating recovery.
3. Which recovery capital framework is most useful in PTSD recovery planning?
Recovery capital—encompassing personal strengths, supportive relationships, and community resources—provides a strengths-based lens for identifying assets that support sustained PTSD recovery.
4. Which neurotransmitter system is most implicated in the hyperarousal symptoms of PTSD?
Norepinephrine dysregulation drives the hyperarousal, hypervigilance, and exaggerated startle response characteristic of PTSD.
5. Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) as described in ICD-11 differs from standard PTSD primarily by including:
ICD-11 C-PTSD includes the core PTSD symptom clusters plus disturbances in self-organization (DSO): affect dysregulation, persistent negative self-concept, and disturbances in relationships.
6. What is a risk matrix used for in PTSD practice?
A risk matrix plots probability against consequences to prioritize which risks need immediate attention.