Which of the following is a symptom cluster that involves increased arousal?

• A. Increased arousal
• B. Reduced responsiveness
• C. Compulsive behaviors
• D. Intrusive memories

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is the arousal and reactivity cluster, which captures the body’s heightened state of alertness and readiness to respond to threats. When this cluster is active, you see signs like being easily startled, constant vigilance or hypervigilance, irritability or angry outbursts, sleep disturbances, and trouble concentrating. These reflect sustained physiological arousal driven by the trauma experience.

Intrusive memories belong to the re-experiencing (intrusion) cluster, where the person involuntarily re-lives the event. Reduced responsiveness refers to emotional numbing and withdrawal, a separate cluster. Compulsive behaviors are not characteristic of the arousal/activation pattern seen in PTSD.