Certified Hospice and Palliative Assistant (CHPNA) Practice Test

Intrusive thoughts and dreams are commonly associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This condition arises after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event and is characterized by re-experiencing the trauma through flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts. The distressing nature of these symptoms can significantly interfere with daily life and emotional well-being. While anxiety disorders, complicated grief, and chronic depression can also involve intrusive thoughts, they do not typically manifest in the same way as in PTSD. In PTSD, the thoughts and dreams are specifically tied to the trauma endured, reflecting a struggle to process the event. Understanding this distinction highlights the unique feature of PTSD that makes it the most fitting condition associated with the symptoms described.