Acute Stress Disorder
A trauma- and stressor-related condition involving characteristic trauma-related symptoms that occur from shortly after a qualifying traumatic event through the first month.
Core concept
A trauma- and stressor-related condition involving characteristic trauma-related symptoms that occur from shortly after a qualifying traumatic event through the first month.
Plain explanation
The key educational distinction from PTSD is timing: the acute post-trauma period is central.
Recognition pattern
Look for trauma exposure, intrusion/negative mood/dissociation/avoidance/arousal symptoms, and the one-month temporal boundary.
Development & course
Can occur across the lifespan after qualifying trauma.
Functional impact
May interfere with concentration, sleep, relationships, and immediate functioning.
Associated features
Intrusive memories, nightmares, dissociation, avoidance, hypervigilance, and sleep disturbance may occur.
Differential reasoning
Distinguish from PTSD primarily through timing and symptom course; also consider normative acute stress reactions.
Culture & context
Immediate post-trauma reactions must be interpreted in cultural and contextual context.
Common misconceptions
Not every acute distress reaction after trauma is a disorder.
Clinical vignette
Within days of a serious accident, a person develops nightmares, detachment, avoidance, and heightened startle.
Reconsider
Reconsider the formulation if the duration, impairment, developmental pattern, substance/medical context, or competing diagnosis does not fit the core pattern.
Learn
Learn the acute-versus-posttraumatic timing distinction.
Notice
Notice when symptoms began and how long they have persisted.
Distinguish
The first-month window is the key educational discriminator from PTSD.
APA (2022). DSM-5-TR, Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders.