A nurse is monitoring a client who has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The nurse recognizes that people diagnosed with PTSD may exhibit symptoms similar to which of the following mental health disorders?

Choice A reason: PTSD often presents with symptoms such as hopelessness, loss of interest, and persistent sadness, which overlap with depressive disorders. Clients may experience low mood, guilt, and impaired concentration similar to major depressive disorder. Choice B reason: Anxiety disorders share many features with PTSD, including hypervigilance, restlessness, and exaggerated startle responses. Clients with PTSD often experience ongoing anxiety, panic attacks, and difficulty relaxing, making this a strong overlap. Choice C reason: Substance use disorder is common in individuals with PTSD because they may attempt to self-medicate distressing symptoms such as intrusive memories, nightmares, or hyperarousal. This maladaptive coping mechanism often leads to comorbid addiction issues. Choice D reason: Dissociative disorders are also linked to PTSD, as clients may detach from reality or experience depersonalization and derealization in response to trauma. Dissociation serves as a defense mechanism to escape overwhelming stress. Choice E reason: Anorexia nervosa is not typically associated with PTSD. While trauma can influence eating behaviors, anorexia nervosa is a distinct disorder characterized by body image disturbance and restrictive eating, not a direct overlap with PTSD symptoms. Choice F reason: Schizophrenia spectrum disorders involve psychosis, hallucinations, and delusions, which differ from PTSD symptoms. Although PTSD can include flashbacks and intrusive memories, these are trauma-related and not psychotic in nature.