Acute Stress Disorder is defined as which of the following?

Acute Stress Disorder is defined as which of the following?

• A. A prolonged anxiety about future events
• B. An anxiety disorder with fear after trauma lasting less than one month
• C. A dissociative disorder with identity change
• D. A mood disorder with persistent sadness.

Answer: (B)

Acute Stress Disorder is defined by a specific time window after a traumatic event: symptoms of anxiety and related features appear soon after the trauma and persist for a limited period, up to one month. This timing is the defining factor that separates ASD from other disorders. The description that fits this best says fear and anxiety arise after trauma and last less than a month, which aligns precisely with the diagnosis criteria. If symptoms extend beyond a month, the diagnosis would typically shift to PTSD. ASD also includes clusters of symptoms such as intrusion (distressing memories, flashbacks), avoidance, negative mood, dissociation, and arousal, all tied to the traumatic event. This helps distinguish it from other conditions: prolonged, general worry not linked to a specific trauma; dissociative disorders with identity changes; or mood disorders with persistent sadness.

Acute Stress Disorder is defined by a specific time window after a traumatic event: symptoms of anxiety and related features appear soon after the trauma and persist for a limited period, up to one month. This timing is the defining factor that separates ASD from other disorders. The description that fits this best says fear and anxiety arise after trauma and last less than a month, which aligns precisely with the diagnosis criteria. If symptoms extend beyond a month, the diagnosis would typically shift to PTSD.

ASD also includes clusters of symptoms such as intrusion (distressing memories, flashbacks), avoidance, negative mood, dissociation, and arousal, all tied to the traumatic event. This helps distinguish it from other conditions: prolonged, general worry not linked to a specific trauma; dissociative disorders with identity changes; or mood disorders with persistent sadness.