Which component is commonly used in PTSD CBT to address trauma memory in a structured way?

• A. Prolonged Exposure (PE)
• B. Simple relaxation only
• C. Sleep hygiene counseling only
• D. Medication management without therapy

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that PTSD treatment in CBT often targets the trauma memory through structured exposure to that memory. Prolonged Exposure does this by guiding you to revisit the traumatic event in a safe, controlled way (imaginal exposure) and to progressively confront real-life reminders (in vivo exposure). Repeated, graded exposure helps the fear associated with the memory to lessen over time, reducing avoidance and allowing the memory to be recalled with less distress. This approach directly engages trauma memory processing within a therapeutic framework, which is why it’s the best fit. Relaxation techniques or sleep hygiene primarily address symptoms rather than how the memory is stored and connected to fear, and medication management without therapy doesn’t provide the memory-processing component that CBT targets.