Acute Stress Disorder

Acute stress disorder (ASD) is characterized by a set of symptoms that occur in response to a traumatic event. These symptoms typically last for a minimum of three days and up to a maximum of one month after the traumatic event.

Symptoms of acute stress disorder can include:

  1. Intrusive thoughts or memories related to the traumatic event.
  2. Avoidance of reminders of the trauma.
  3. Negative changes in mood or cognition.
  4. Increased arousal and reactivity (e.g., hypervigilance, difficulty sleeping).

ASD differs from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) primarily in terms of duration. If the symptoms persist for more than one month, a diagnosis of PTSD may be considered. Treatment for ASD often includes psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and sometimes medications to alleviate symptoms.

 

Medicine

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