Which of the following terms describes a person experiencing emotional stress after a traumatic event?

The term that best describes a person experiencing emotional stress following a traumatic event is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This condition occurs when an individual has been exposed to a traumatic experience, such as combat, natural disasters, or serious accidents, leading to significant distress and disruption in their everyday life.

Individuals with PTSD often experience a variety of symptoms, including flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the traumatic incident. The condition may also result in emotional numbness or a feeling of estrangement from others, often complicating the recovery process.

While anxiety disorders and major depression can also manifest in response to stress or trauma, they are broader categories that do not specifically focus on the aftermath of a singular traumatic event like PTSD does. Generalized anxiety disorder, for instance, pertains more to chronic, pervasive anxiety that isn't linked to a specific event. Therefore, the distinct nature of PTSD as a response to trauma makes it the most accurate answer in this context.