PTSD Comorbid Conditions & Dual Diagnosis 3

Question 1

Psychotic symptoms in a patient with PTSD most appropriately indicate the need for:

Accepted Answer

Evaluation for trauma-related psychosis or a co-occurring psychotic disorder

Answer

Psychotic symptoms in PTSD patients may represent a dissociative/psychotic PTSD specifier or a comorbid psychotic disorder, both requiring comprehensive evaluation to guide appropriate treatment.

Question 2

Which screening tool is most appropriate for identifying comorbid depression in a PTSD population?

Accepted Answer

PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9)

Answer

The PHQ-9 is a validated, widely-used screening instrument for depression that is appropriate for use alongside PTSD-specific measures to identify comorbid Major Depressive Disorder.

Question 3

Treatment for comorbid PTSD and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) most often involves:

Accepted Answer

Sequenced or integrated trauma-focused CBT and ERP

Answer

Comorbid PTSD and OCD typically respond best to a sequenced or integrated approach combining trauma-focused CBT for PTSD and Exposure and Response Prevention for OCD, leveraging both evidence-based protocols.

Question 4

What is a primary clinical concern when initiating trauma-focused therapy in a patient with comorbid PTSD and active suicidality?

Accepted Answer

Trauma processing may temporarily intensify distress and heighten suicide risk

Answer

Trauma processing can temporarily intensify emotional distress, which may heighten suicide risk in patients with active suicidality, requiring careful stabilization and ongoing risk monitoring.

Question 5

Which comorbid condition most significantly complicates the assessment of PTSD due to extensive symptom overlap?

Accepted Answer

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Answer

Traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD share numerous overlapping symptoms—including cognitive difficulties, sleep disturbances, and irritability—making accurate differential diagnosis particularly challenging.

(PTSD) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Certification Practice Test

(PTSD) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Certification Practice Test

PTSD Comorbid Conditions & Dual Diagnosis 3