Which symptom is a core feature of posttraumatic stress disorder?

• A. Delusions
• B. Auditory hallucinations
• C. Intrusion
• D. Disorganized thinking

Answer: (C)

Intrusion symptoms—re-experiencing the traumatic event—are a defining feature of PTSD. These include involuntary, distressing memories; distressing dreams about the trauma; and flashbacks or dissociative reactions where it feels as if the event is happening again. Cues or reminders can trigger intense psychological or physiological distress. Because re-experiencing the trauma is at the heart of PTSD, intrusion stands out as the characteristic feature.

Delusions and auditory hallucinations are psychotic symptoms seen in other disorders, not PTSD, while disorganized thinking is more typical of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. So the re-experiencing of the trauma best captures the core aspect of PTSD.