Which condition is suggested by symptoms of insomnia, palpitations, and anxiety following a traumatic event?

Study for the Swift River Mental Health Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each question includes hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The presence of insomnia, palpitations, and anxiety following a traumatic event aligns well with the diagnostic criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is characterized by re-experiencing the traumatic event, avoidance of reminders of the trauma, negative changes in mood and cognition, and heightened arousal symptoms, which includes insomnia and anxiety. Palpitations can also be a physiological manifestation of anxiety.

In contrast, anxiety disorders can encompass a broader range of anxiety symptoms not necessarily tied to a specific traumatic event, making them less specific in this context. Major Depressive Disorder typically presents with persistent sadness and loss of interest, which isn't directly indicated by the symptoms described. Somatization Disorder involves the manifestation of psychological distress through physical symptoms but does not specifically correlate with the acute response to trauma that characterizes PTSD.

Therefore, given the specific context of symptoms occurring after a traumatic event, PTSD is the most accurate diagnosis.

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