Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Practice Exam

What is MOST likely happening when a recent victim of domestic violence exhibits rapid emotional decompensation and withdraws into a trancelike state while recounting childhood abuse?

1. She is reliving past trauma

2. She is experiencing a dissociative episode

3. She is overwhelmed by current stressors

4. She is seeking attention

The correct answer is: She is reliving past trauma

The scenario describes a recent victim of domestic violence exhibiting rapid emotional decompensation and entering a trancelike state while discussing childhood abuse. To understand why the first option is most appropriate, it is important to recognize that the symptoms described—emotional decompensation and a trance-like state—are characteristic of someone who is reliving past trauma. When individuals experience trauma, particularly chronic or historical trauma such as childhood abuse, they may have intense emotional responses when triggered by reminders of that trauma. This can lead them to mentally and emotionally re-experience the situation, which can manifest in dissociative symptoms. In this case, the victim’s behavior indicates that she may be unconsciously revisiting her past experiences while trying to process her current trauma from recent domestic violence. Addressing the other options helps to clarify why they are less aligned with the symptoms presented. The possibility of experiencing a dissociative episode is related but less specific to the context. While the trancelike state may appear as dissociation, it directly stems from revisiting traumatic memories rather than being a distinct dissociative disorder response. Though being overwhelmed by current stressors could understandably cause emotional distress, the details provided suggest a deeper connection to past trauma rather than solely reacting to