What symptom is key in distinguishing post-traumatic stress disorder from other anxiety disorders?

The symptom that is pivotal in distinguishing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from other anxiety disorders is reliving the trauma in dreams and flashbacks. This phenomenon is often described as re-experiencing the traumatic event, where individuals may have distressing memories, vivid flashbacks, or nightmares that transport them back to the traumatic experience. Such reliving can happen unexpectedly, without any triggers present, and significantly affects the person’s daily life and emotional well-being.

While avoidance of situations that resemble the stress and blunted affect can also occur in PTSD, these symptoms are not exclusive to it and can be found in other anxiety disorders. The lack of interest in family and others can be a symptom of various mental health conditions, making it less specific to PTSD. Thus, the hallmark of PTSD—the re-experiencing of trauma—serves as the key distinguishing feature, highlighting the unique nature of PTSD compared to other anxiety disorders.