Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is defined as which of the following?

• A. The redirection of a helping professional's feeling onto his or her clients
• B. Emotional disturbance that may occur following exposure to an exceptionally stressful event
• C. Where one can contemplate one's own mental process and/or past actions in an effort to improve
• D. None of the above

Answer: (B)

PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after someone is exposed to an exceptionally stressful or traumatic event. It isn’t a normal short-term reaction; the distress persists for a significant period and can impair daily functioning. The core idea is that the emotional disturbance follows exposure to trauma, which aligns with the option describing this description. The other options describe different concepts—countertransference (a therapist’s feelings directed at a client) or self-reflection aimed at personal improvement—not PTSD. Therefore, the stated definition captures what PTSD is: emotional disturbance after a traumatic event.