Psychology MCAT Practice Exam

Which disorder is characterized by flashbacks and hypervigilance?

1. Social anxiety disorder

2. Generalized anxiety disorder

3. PTSD

4. Panic disorder

The correct answer is: PTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is characterized by specific symptoms that arise after an individual has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. Flashbacks, where individuals relive the trauma as if it is happening again, and hypervigilance, which involves being excessively alert and aware of potential threats, are hallmark features of PTSD. These symptoms reflect the struggle to process the trauma, leading to persistent avoidance of reminders of the event, negative changes in mood and cognition, and heightened physiological responses. Individuals with PTSD may experience disturbances in their sleep, intrusive thoughts, and heightened startle responses, all of which contribute to the condition’s characteristic fear and anxiety. In contrast, other anxiety disorders, like social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder, have different symptom profiles and do not specifically emphasize the flashbacks or hypervigilance associated with PTSD. Thus, the recognition of these specific symptoms is crucial in identifying PTSD as the correct answer in this context.