DSM-5-TR distinguishes acute stress disorder from posttraumatic stress disorder based on which factor?

DSM-5-TR distinguishes acute stress disorder from posttraumatic stress disorder based on which factor?

• A. Cause of the anxiety-linked symptoms
• B. Presence of one or more additional psychological disorders
• C. Intensity of the anxiety-linked symptoms
• D. Duration of anxiety symptoms

Answer: (D)

The main factor being tested is how long the symptoms last after the traumatic event. Acute Stress Disorder is diagnosed when symptoms arise within 3 days to 1 month after the trauma and cause significant distress or impairment. If those trauma-related symptoms persist beyond one month, the diagnosis is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. So the duration of symptoms is what differentiates the two disorders in DSM-5-TR. The other options aren’t the distinguishing criterion: exposure to trauma is needed for both, co-occurring disorders aren’t what separate them, and the intensity isn’t the defining cutoff—it's the time course.

The main factor being tested is how long the symptoms last after the traumatic event. Acute Stress Disorder is diagnosed when symptoms arise within 3 days to 1 month after the trauma and cause significant distress or impairment. If those trauma-related symptoms persist beyond one month, the diagnosis is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. So the duration of symptoms is what differentiates the two disorders in DSM-5-TR. The other options aren’t the distinguishing criterion: exposure to trauma is needed for both, co-occurring disorders aren’t what separate them, and the intensity isn’t the defining cutoff—it's the time course.