Which symptom is often associated with PTSD during reliving of the traumatic event?

Flashbacks are a key symptom of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that occur during the reliving of a traumatic event. During a flashback, individuals may feel as if they are re-experiencing the trauma, with vivid and distressing memories that can lead to intense emotional responses and physiological reactions similar to those experienced during the original event. This symptom is deeply connected to the process of memory reconsolidation and can cause significant distress, often leading individuals to avoid triggers associated with the traumatic experience.

In contrast, the other options do not represent symptoms typically associated with PTSD. The sense of joy and increased optimism are generally not relevant to PTSD, as the disorder is characterized by negative emotions and distress. Avoidance of reality, while an individual coping mechanism, does not specifically capture the reliving experience that flashbacks entail; avoidance may manifest in different ways and is not the same as the vivid memories that are relived through flashbacks. Thus, the presence of flashbacks during reliving is a hallmark component of PTSD, illustrating the disorder's impact on memory and emotional regulation.