Read the passage given below carefully and answer the questions that follow :-
Major Chandra, an infantry soldier, was posted in the border area with his unit. One day, an informer gave a message that terrorists have entered in a school and are threatening to blow it, if some of their terrorist prisoners are not released. The major entered the school premises along with other soldiers, but was shocked to see the terrorists armed with the latest weapons. Soon the firing started, as the terrorists had an advantageous position so they immediately shot down a few soldiers without caring for their life. Major Chandra entered the school and started firing which led to killing of the terrorists and he got badly injured. Though the Major has recovered, still he gets flashback and recurring nightmares.
Identify the major disorder under which post traumatic stress disorder is categorized:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Trauma and Stress Related Disorders
Option (1) Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders — Incorrect. This group covers conditions with physical symptoms in the absence of a physical disease, such as conversion disorder, somatic symptom disorder and illness anxiety disorder. Major Chandra’s problem is not a bodily complaint but the reliving of a frightening event.
Option (2) Dissociative Disorders — Incorrect. Dissociation is a severance of the connections between ideas and emotions, with feelings of unreality, depersonalisation and sometimes a loss or shift of identity; dissociative amnesia and dissociative identity disorder belong here. Flashbacks and nightmares are not of this kind.
Option (3) Bipolar and Related Disorders — Incorrect. These disorders involve mania and depression alternating, as in Bipolar I disorder. They are mood disorders and have nothing to do with a traumatic event.
Option (4) Trauma and Stress Related Disorders — Correct. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is placed under Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders. People who have been victims of bomb blasts by terrorists, or been in a serious accident or a war-related situation, often develop PTSD; Major Chandra’s gunfight with the terrorists is such an event.
NCERT (2025-26): “Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders … Very often people who have been caught in a natural disaster (such as tsunami) or have been victims of bomb blasts by terrorists, or been in a serious accident or in a war-related situation, experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD symptoms vary widely but may include recurrent dreams, flashbacks, impaired concentration, and emotional numbing. Adjustment Disorders and Acute Stress Disorder are also included under this category.…” |