Ravi was in a train accident a year ago. Even now he has anxiety, flashbacks, bad dreams and intrusive thoughts, and his relationships at home have become strained. Identify the type of stressor he faced, and choose what follows from it.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → A traumatic event; he will need professional help, as the symptoms have persisted for many months
Option (1) A traumatic event; he will need professional help, as the symptoms have persisted for many months — Correct. A train accident is an extreme event, so it is a traumatic event. Its effects can last as anxiety, flashbacks and intrusive thoughts and can strain relationships. When they persist for many months, professional help is needed.
Option (2) A major life event; his symptoms come from several changes occurring within a short period — Incorrect. A major life event is a big change, planned or unpredicted, such as moving house. Stress grows when several such changes come close together. Ravi faced one extreme event.
Option (3) A daily hassle; others may not notice it, so he has to cope with it alone — Incorrect. Daily hassles are the small stresses of daily life, such as traffic snarls or water shortage, which a person often bears alone. A train accident is a single extreme event.
Option (4) A traumatic event; the symptoms will fade without help as he learns to cope with everyday changes — Incorrect. The stressor is named correctly, but the second part is wrong. Trauma symptoms can persist for many months, and then professional help is needed. Small, everyday changes are the ones we learn to cope with.
NCERT (2026-27): “Traumatic Events |