Which symptom is classified under the category of "persistent negative emotional state" in PTSD?

In the context of PTSD, the symptom characterized as a "persistent negative emotional state" is feeling withdrawn or detached. This symptom reflects an ongoing emotional struggle where the individual might feel disconnected from their thoughts, feelings, or sense of identity, leading to a pervasive sense of numbness or emotional blunting. Such feelings can often be a response to trauma, signifying difficulty in forming connections with others and processing the traumatic experience.

Feeling withdrawn or detached aligns with the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, specifically under the alterations in cognition and mood following a traumatic event. This state contributes to an individual's experience of emotional distress, affecting relationships and overall functioning.

Other symptoms mentioned, such as nightmares, increased heart rate, and re-experiencing the trauma, are indeed associated with PTSD but fit into different categories. Nightmares and re-experiencing the trauma pertain to hyperarousal and intrusive symptoms, while increased heart rate is largely a physiological response associated with anxiety or panic experiences rather than an emotional state. Hence, feeling withdrawn or detached stands out as most representative of a persistent negative emotional state in PTSD.