PTSD is defined as an anxiety disorder with symptoms persisting for at least four weeks after a traumatic event.

PTSD is defined as an anxiety disorder with symptoms persisting for at least four weeks after a traumatic event.

• A. Two days
• B. Four weeks
• C. Six months
• D. One year

Answer: (B)

The main idea being tested is the minimum duration of distressing symptoms after a traumatic event required to consider PTSD. PTSD is diagnosed only when symptoms persist for about one month or longer after the trauma; if symptoms stay shorter than that, the condition is typically categorized as acute stress disorder. Among the options, four weeks is the shortest period that meets this minimum threshold, making it the best fit. Two days is far too short, while six months or a year are longer durations that could occur with PTSD but don’t define the minimum requirement. Understanding this helps you distinguish PTSD from shorter-lived stress responses and reinforces why duration is a key part of the diagnosis.

The main idea being tested is the minimum duration of distressing symptoms after a traumatic event required to consider PTSD. PTSD is diagnosed only when symptoms persist for about one month or longer after the trauma; if symptoms stay shorter than that, the condition is typically categorized as acute stress disorder. Among the options, four weeks is the shortest period that meets this minimum threshold, making it the best fit. Two days is far too short, while six months or a year are longer durations that could occur with PTSD but don’t define the minimum requirement. Understanding this helps you distinguish PTSD from shorter-lived stress responses and reinforces why duration is a key part of the diagnosis.