What are the DSM-5-TR PTSD symptom clusters?

• A. Obsessions, compulsions, avoidance, mood disturbance.
• B. Intrusion, avoidance, negative alterations in cognition/mood, and arousal/reactivity.
• C. Intrusion, dissociation, flashbacks, arousal.
• D. Hypervigilance, sleep disturbance, irritability, social withdrawal.

Answer: (B)

PTSD in DSM-5-TR is organized into four symptom clusters: intrusion, avoidance, negative alterations in cognition and mood, and arousal/reactivity. Intrusion covers unwanted memories, distressing dreams, dissociative reactions (like flashbacks), and cue-triggered distress. Avoidance involves efforts to avoid distressing memories, thoughts, or external reminders. Negative alterations in cognition and mood include distorted beliefs about oneself or others, persistent negative emotional states, diminished interest or participation, feelings of detachment, and inability to experience positive emotions. Arousal and reactivity encompass irritability or angry outbursts, reckless or self-destructive behavior, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle, concentration problems, and sleep disturbance. The option listing these four clusters matches the DSM-5-TR structure. The other choices mix symptoms from other disorders (like obsessive-compulsive features), include dissociation as a separate cluster, or present individual symptoms rather than the organized four-cluster framework.