Clinical Practice SWES Practice Exam

A child displaying symptoms like refusal to be near dogs and recurrent nightmares after a dog bite is likely suffering from which condition?

1. Separation anxiety

2. Childhood adjustment disorder

3. Reaction formation

4. Post-traumatic stress disorder

The correct answer is: Post-traumatic stress disorder

The symptoms described — refusal to be near dogs and recurrent nightmares following a traumatic experience with a dog bite — align closely with the characteristics of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This condition can manifest in children after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, such as a dog bite, which can lead to intense fear and anxiety related to the trauma. In PTSD, avoidance behaviors, such as refusing to be near a dog in this scenario, are common as the child tries to evade any reminders of the traumatic event. The presence of recurrent nightmares also highlights a significant aspect of PTSD, where distressing memories of the trauma intrude into the child's sleep, often leading to fear and anxiety during the night, which further disrupts normal functioning. In contrast, separation anxiety primarily involves distress related to separation from caregivers, not specifically tied to trauma from an event like a dog bite. Childhood adjustment disorder refers to difficulty adjusting to a significant life change or stressor but does not specifically correlate with trauma response as seen in this case. Reaction formation is a defense mechanism where an individual behaves in a way opposite to their true feelings, which doesn't apply directly to the immediate fear and nightmares linked to a trauma. Thus, recognizing PTSD helps understand this child's symptoms in relation to their traumatic