Which symptom is commonly associated with PTSD in officers?

• A. Calmness
• B. Irritable or aggressive behavior, reckless or self-destructive behavior, problems with concentration, difficulty sleeping, depression, anxiety, flashbacks, and recurring nightmares.
• C. Hyperactivity only
• D. Visual impairment

Answer: (B)

PTSD symptoms in officers commonly appear as a mix of reliving the trauma, mood and cognitive changes, and heightened arousal. The option that lists irritability or aggressive behavior, reckless or self-destructive actions, problems with concentration, difficulty sleeping, depression, anxiety, flashbacks, and recurring nightmares directly reflects these clusters: intrusion (flashbacks, nightmares), negative mood and cognition (depression, anxiety, concentration problems), and hyperarousal (irritability, aggression, sleep disturbances). This breadth captures how PTSD often manifests in law enforcement, where exposure to traumatic events can lead to a sustained pattern of these signs that can affect judgment, safety, and performance. The other options don’t fit as well: calmness isn’t a PTSD symptom, hyperactivity alone misses the broader range of effects, and visual impairment isn’t typically associated with PTSD. Recognizing these signs is important for timely support and evidence-based treatment, such as trauma-focused therapies.