Which does NOT characterize stress disorders?

• A. Signs of increased arousal, such as poor sleep and exaggerated startle reactions
• B. Reduced responsiveness to the world around one
• C. A compulsive need to engage in activities that remind one of the event
• D. Recurring memories, dreams, or nightmares about the event

Answer: (C)

Stress disorders like PTSD are organized around intrusion symptoms, avoidance/numbing, and hyperarousal. The option describing a compulsive need to engage in activities that remind one of the event does not fit these patterns. PTSD typically involves avoiding reminders and numbness, not compulsively seeking reminders. In contrast, the other items reflect the core features: hyperarousal (poor sleep, exaggerated startle), emotional numbing/withdrawal (reduced responsiveness to the world), and intrusion (recurring memories or dreams). So the compulsive reminder behavior is not characteristic of stress disorders.