A nurse is educating a group of nursing students about anxiety disorders. What is the primary characteristic of anxiety disorders?

Choice A rationale:

"You're experiencing marked fear of specific objects, right?" This statement relates to specific phobias, where individuals have intense fear of particular objects or situations, which is not indicative of panic disorder.

Choice B rationale:

"Your fear of open spaces is leading to avoidance behavior, correct?" This choice reflects agoraphobia, where individuals fear and avoid places or situations where they might feel trapped or helpless, often due to fear of having a panic attack. However, panic disorder involves unexpected panic attacks without the specific trigger of open spaces.

Choice C rationale:

"You're having unexpected panic attacks followed by persistent fear, aren't you?" This statement accurately represents panic disorder. Individuals with panic disorder experience recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, often followed by apprehension about having more attacks or the consequences of the attacks. This persistent fear of future attacks is a key diagnostic criterion for panic disorder.

Choice D rationale:

"It sounds like you're dealing with obsessions and compulsions." This choice pertains to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which involves intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions). This is distinct from panic disorder.

Avoidance of stimuli related to the traumatic event.

Choice A rationale:

Elevated mood is not a characteristic symptom of PTSD. Individuals with PTSD often experience mood disturbances such as depression, irritability, and hypervigilance, but elevated mood is not a defining feature.

Choice B rationale:

Avoidance of stimuli related to the traumatic event is a hallmark symptom of PTSD. Individuals with PTSD actively avoid reminders, situations, or people that trigger memories of the traumatic event. This avoidance behavior helps them cope with distressing memories and emotions associated with the trauma.

Choice C rationale:

Reduced anxiety is not typically associated with PTSD. In fact, individuals with PTSD often experience heightened anxiety, hyperarousal, and exaggerated startle responses due to their trauma-related symptoms.

Choice D rationale:

Excessive energy is not a primary symptom of PTSD. Individuals with PTSD commonly experience symptoms of emotional numbing, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating, which are contrary to the idea of excessive energy.

Choice E rationale:

Compulsive behaviors are not a defining characteristic of PTSD. While individuals with PTSD may develop certain rituals or behaviors as a way to manage anxiety or distress, compulsions are more characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) rather than PTSD.