Social Work Examination Services (SWES) Human Behavior Practice Test

A child who experiences nightmares and avoidance of dogs after an attack is most likely diagnosed with?

1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder

2. Separation Anxiety Disorder

3. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

4. Acute Stress Disorder

The correct answer is: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

The scenario described involves a child who has experienced a traumatic event—specifically, an attack—and now exhibits symptoms such as nightmares and avoidance behaviors related to dogs. This pattern of behavior aligns closely with the criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is characterized by the development of specific symptoms following exposure to a traumatic event. In children, symptoms often include intrusive memories or nightmares related to the trauma, persistent avoidance of reminders of the trauma (in this case, avoidance of dogs), increased arousal and reactivity, and negative changes in mood and cognition. The child's nightmares indicate that they are re-experiencing the trauma, while the avoidance behavior suggests an effort to dodge reminders of the attack, which is a hallmark of PTSD. Acute Stress Disorder might also be considered since it shares some similarities with PTSD and occurs within the first month after the trauma. However, the key distinction is that PTSD symptoms last longer than a month and persist beyond the immediate aftermath of the traumatic event, which fits the child's description of ongoing nightmares and avoidance. Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Separation Anxiety Disorder do not adequately capture the specific traumatic context and symptoms presented in this scenario. Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by excessive worry about various aspects of life rather