In assessing a client with PTSD, which of the following symptoms is indicative of the disorder?

Choice A reason: Obsessions and compulsions are the defining characteristics of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). While a person with PTSD may develop ritualistic behaviors to feel safe, the primary diagnostic criteria focus on the intrusive recollection of a specific external traumatic event rather than internal, ego-dystonic obsessive thoughts. Choice B reason: Re-experiencing is a core symptom cluster of PTSD, manifesting as vivid flashbacks where the individual feels or acts as if the traumatic event is recurring. This involves intense psychological distress and physiological reactions to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event. Choice C reason: Consistent expressive euphoria is more typical of a manic or hypomanic episode found in bipolar spectrum disorders. PTSD is characterized by negative alterations in mood and cognition, often involving persistent negative emotional states such as fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame, rather than sustained elevated or expansive moods. Choice D reason: While "anhedonia" or diminished interest in activities is a symptom of PTSD, "apathy" is a more general term often associated with depression or negative symptoms of schizophrenia. The specific diagnostic criteria for PTSD emphasize a marked decrease in participation in significant activities specifically following the traumatic exposure.