Which is a symptom of PTSD?

• A. Insomnia exclusively.
• B. Frequent laughing.
• C. Hypervigilance, which is a constant sense of being on guard.
• D. Excessive happiness.

Answer: (C)

PTSD involves a cluster of symptoms after exposure to trauma, including re-experiencing, avoidance, negative changes in mood and cognition, and heightened arousal. Hypervigilance—an ongoing, constant sense of being on guard—fits the arousal component of PTSD. It captures the way someone affected remains unusually alert to potential threats, may startle easily, and struggles to relax or feel safe. While sleep problems can occur in PTSD, describing it as insomnia exclusively misses the broader, persistent arousal pattern. The other options—insomnia as the only issue, frequent laughing, or excessive happiness—do not align with the typical PTSD symptom profile, which centers on persistent hyperarousal and vigilance.