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Which of the following could be classified as an internal distress stressor?

  1. Retirement from a job

  2. Death of a loved one

  3. Post-traumatic stress

  4. Moving to a new locality

The correct answer is: Post-traumatic stress

Post-traumatic stress can be classified as an internal distress stressor because it arises from a person's internal response to traumatic events. It involves psychological and emotional distress that affects an individual's mental health and functioning. This internal struggle can manifest as anxiety, depression, flashbacks, or emotional numbness, which shows how it originates from within the individual rather than from an external event. In contrast, the other options involve external circumstances that can cause stress but do not originate from the individual's internal psychological state. Retirement and the death of a loved one are significant life events that can lead to stress, but these situations are primarily external triggers. Moving to a new locality also represents an external change that can induce stress due to the adjustment required, such as adapting to a new environment or forging new relationships. Therefore, post-traumatic stress stands out as an internal experience that characterizes how individuals process and respond to past trauma.