PTSD is an anxiety disorder that develops in response to a real-life event. Which option best matches?

• A. Generalized anxiety disorder
• B. PTSD
• C. Panic disorder
• D. Specific phobia

Answer: (B)

PTSD is an anxiety disorder defined by onset after exposure to a traumatic real-life event, with symptoms such as intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thoughts or mood, and heightened arousal that last for more than a month and cause impairment. This trauma-linked pattern is what sets it apart from other anxiety disorders. Generalized anxiety disorder involves persistent worry across many areas without a single identifiable trauma; panic disorder centers on recurrent, unexpected panic attacks; specific phobia is an intense fear of a particular object or situation. Because PTSD specifically hinges on actual or threatened trauma and produces a distinct cluster of symptoms over time, it best matches the description in the question.