Which of the following are core symptoms of PTSD? Re-experiencing/reliving the traumatic event, anxiety functional impairment. Numbing, hyperarousal functional impairment. Avoidance, somatization functional impairment.

The core symptoms of PTSD fall into four categories:<br /><br />1. **Re-experiencing:** This includes intrusive memories, nightmares, flashbacks, and intense or prolonged psychological distress at exposure to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event(s).<br /><br />2. **Avoidance:** This involves efforts to avoid distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely associated with the traumatic event(s) and efforts to avoid external reminders (people, places, conversations, activities, objects, situations) that arouse distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely associated with the traumatic event(s).<br /><br />3. **Negative alterations in cognitions and mood:** This includes inability to remember an important aspect of the event(s), persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs or expectations about oneself, others, or the world, persistent distorted cognitions about the cause or consequences of the event(s) that lead the individual to blame himself/herself or others, persistent negative emotional state, markedly diminished interest or participation in significant activities, feelings of detachment or estrangement from others, and persistent inability to experience positive emotions.<br /><br />4. **Marked alterations in arousal and reactivity:** This includes irritable behavior and angry outbursts (with little or no provocation) typically expressed as verbal or physical aggression toward people or objects, reckless or self-destructive behavior, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, problems with concentration, and sleep disturbances.<br /><br />Therefore, the closest correct answer from the options provided would be a combination of elements: **Re-experiencing/reliving the traumatic event, avoidance, and hyperarousal** (which falls under marked alterations in arousal and reactivity) along with the resulting **functional impairment** which is a key component in diagnosing PTSD as it significantly impacts a person's ability to function in daily life. None of the provided options fully encapsulate the core symptom clusters. Somatization, while sometimes present, is not a core symptom of PTSD. Anxiety, while often present, is better understood as a component of the hyperarousal and negative alterations in mood and cognition rather than a standalone core symptom category.<br />