Which of the following is a symptom associated with PTSD?

• A. Sleep improvement
• B. Increased appetite
• C. Flashbacks
• D. Heightened coordination

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that PTSD often involves re-experiencing the traumatic event. A flashback is an involuntary reliving of that trauma, so real that the person feels as if it’s occurring again in the present. This intrusive reliving is a hallmark symptom of PTSD and can be distressing and disruptive, especially in high-stakes environments like corrections, where staying alert and safe is critical. In a flashback, thoughts, emotions, and even physical reactions can surge as if the danger from the past were happening now.

Sleep improvements aren’t typical for PTSD; in fact, sleep problems and nightmares are common parts of the disorder, not better sleep. Changes in appetite aren’t a defining PTSD symptom either, and while some individuals might notice various mood changes, increased appetite isn’t a core feature. Heightened coordination doesn’t describe PTSD; the condition more often involves hypervigilance and exaggerated startle responses, not improved motor skills.

So, the symptom that aligns with PTSD is the experience of flashbacks.