Which of these categories does PTSD NOT fall into?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is primarily categorized as an emotional disorder because it involves intense feelings and emotional responses following a traumatic experience. The hallmark of PTSD includes symptoms such as flashbacks, severe anxiety, and persistent intrusive thoughts that exemplify emotional disturbances.

In contrast, physical categories typically refer to health issues that can be seen or measured in a physical way, such as injuries or physiological conditions, which do not directly pertain to PTSD. Behavioral categories might encompass actions or reactions that are observable, like avoidance behaviors, but they are not the core aspect defining PTSD. Lastly, while there are cognitive elements in PTSD—like distorted beliefs or negative thoughts about oneself or the world—cognitive functioning is not the primary focus of this disorder. Therefore, cognitive does not capture the essence of what PTSD is fundamentally about, which is more related to emotional trauma and its impacts.

This delineation helps clarify why PTSD is more accurately categorized as an emotional disorder rather than cognitive, physical, or solely behavioral.