Which of the following is a symptom of PTSD for correctional officers?

• A. Hypervigilance
• B. Frequent headaches
• C. Nausea
• D. Dizziness

Answer: (A)

Hypervigilance is a hallmark of PTSD, especially for correctional officers who operate in environments where danger can feel immediate and constant. This symptom means staying in a state of heightened alert, scanning the surroundings continually for threats, having trouble relaxing, and being easily startled. This persistent hyperarousal reflects how trauma can keep the nervous system in a heightened state long after the danger has passed, which can interfere with sleep, concentration, and daily functioning. In a corrections context, such vigilance can be adaptive in the moment but becomes problematic when it lasts long-term, contributing fatigue, anxiety, and strained workplace relationships. While frequent headaches, nausea, or dizziness can accompany stress or other conditions, they are not specific or defining symptoms of PTSD in the same way that hypervigilance is.