Which disorder is defined by lingering memories and nightmares after a severely threatening event?

• A. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• B. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• C. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• D. Dissociative Amnesia

Answer: (B)

Intrusive memories and nightmares after a severely threatening event point to post-traumatic stress disorder. This condition develops after trauma and includes re-experiencing symptoms like distressing memories, nightmares, or flashbacks, along with avoidance, negative mood or thoughts, and heightened arousal. For a diagnosis, these symptoms persist for more than a month and cause significant distress or impairment. The other disorders describe different patterns: obsessive-compulsive disorder centers on recurring intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors; generalized anxiety disorder involves chronic worry across many areas without trauma-specific symptoms; dissociative amnesia involves gaps in memory for important personal information rather than ongoing trauma-related distress.