National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) Practice Exam

What differentiates Prolonged Grief Disorder from PTSD?

1. Presence of avoidant behavior

2. Longing to be with someone

3. Intrusive thoughts

4. Lack of emotional expression

The correct answer is: Longing to be with someone

Prolonged Grief Disorder is characterized primarily by intense longing and yearning for the deceased individual, which is a key feature that distinguishes it from PTSD. Individuals experiencing Prolonged Grief Disorder often have a persistent desire to be reunited with the lost loved one, emphasizing the emotional depth of their grief and their struggle to adjust to the loss. On the other hand, PTSD is typically marked by a range of symptoms that include intrusive thoughts, avoidance behaviors, and hyper-arousal related to traumatic experiences. The focus in PTSD lies more on how individuals react to trauma—either through avoidance or re-experiencing the trauma—not on the profound yearning for a loved one that characterizes Prolonged Grief Disorder. Thus, the presence of longing to be with someone is central to Prolonged Grief Disorder, setting it apart from PTSD, which involves a broader spectrum of trauma-related symptoms but not the specific emotional connection tied to loss that Prolonged Grief Disorder encapsulates.