Cognitive reactions to stress primarily include which of the following?

Cognitive reactions to stress involve the mental processes we utilize to interpret and respond to stressful situations. Nightmares are classified as a cognitive reaction because they reflect disturbances in thought patterns and emotional processing that arise during stressful times, often manifesting as vivid dreams related to the individual's feelings of anxiety or fear.

When an individual experiences significant stress, their cognitive functions can be disrupted, leading to altered sleep patterns and distressing dreams, which are indicative of how the mind grapples with stressors. In this context, nightmares can serve as a signal that a person is struggling to manage the psychological effects of stress in their waking life.

Heightened alertness, while a response to acute stress, is more physiological and relates to the body's fight-or-flight reaction, rather than a direct cognitive response. Withdrawal also does not strictly fall under cognitive reactions; it is more behavioral, reflecting a person’s tendency to retreat from social interactions. Appetite changes typically represent emotional or physiological responses to stress rather than cognitive processing, further distinguishing them from cognitive reactions. Thus, the nature of nightmares aligns with the cognitive outcomes of experiencing stress.