Counselor Education Comprehensive Exam (CECE) Practice Exam

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is categorized separately from anxiety disorders in the DSM-5. While PTSD does involve anxiety symptoms, it is classified under Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders. This distinction is rooted in the specific criteria and symptoms associated with PTSD, which includes the re-experiencing of traumatic events, avoidance of reminders of the trauma, negative changes in mood and cognition, and heightened arousal and reactivity. In contrast, Specific Phobia, Panic Disorder, and Agoraphobia are all classified as anxiety disorders within the DSM-5. These conditions share a common feature of excessive fear or anxiety related to specific situations, objects, or events. Therefore, recognizing the unique classification of PTSD clarifies why it does not belong to the anxiety disorder category, making it the correct answer to the question.