Table 1.

Symptom comparison between Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

	ACUTE STRESS DISORDER	POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
Onset	Immediately following or shortly after direct or indirect exposure to a traumatic stressor	At least one month after direct or indirect exposure to a traumatic stressor
Duration	Symptoms occur for a minimum of 3 days and a maximum of 1 month	Symptoms occur for at least 1 month and may last for years
Clinical Picture	• Dissociation (sense of detachment from oneself) •Dissociative Amnesia (trouble recalling details from stressful event) •Anxiety •Flashbacks (intrusive memories of the stressful event) •Difficulty Sleeping & Nightmares •Poor Concentration •Hypervigilance •Avoidance of people, places or experiences related to stressful event	• Dissociation (sense of detachment from oneself) •Dissociative Amnesia (trouble recalling details from stressful event) •Anxiety • Flashbacks (intrusive memories of the stressful event) •Difficulty Sleeping & Nightmares • Re-experiencing • Hypervigilance • Avoidance of people, places or experiences related to stressful event • Changes in mood and cognition
Usual Treatment	Short-term psychotherapy and/or medication	Long-term psychotherapy and/or medication