How long do symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder typically last?

Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) is characterized by the onset of symptoms shortly after a traumatic event, and these symptoms specifically last from three days to one month. This time frame is critical for distinguishing ASD from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), where symptoms persist for longer than one month following the traumatic experience.

The definition of ASD includes a range of symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, negative mood, dissociation, avoidance, and heightened arousal, but these symptoms must occur within that specified duration to meet the criteria for this diagnosis. If the symptoms extend beyond one month, the diagnosis would typically shift to PTSD, which requires an assessment of symptoms persisting for a longer duration.

This distinction is important for treatment and management, as the early intervention for ASD can prevent the development of PTSD. Therefore, recognizing that the symptoms must occur from three days to one month after the traumatic event is essential for proper diagnosis and subsequent intervention strategies.