Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)

For Experts

• Diagnostic criteria are provided for ASD in the DSM and ICD.
• A mental disorder that can occur after exposure to psychological stressors during one or more potentially psychologically traumatic events perceived as involving severe threat to self or others.
• Similar to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, symptoms may include (but are not limited to):

1. 1. Recurrent involuntary memories or significant physiological reactions;
   2. Inability to feel positive emotions;
   3. Trouble remembering and avoidance of the psychologically traumatic event;
   4. Hyperarousal, and
   5. Sometimes persistent feelings of detachment.

• The experiences have lasted for three days or more but less than one month and cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
• The symptoms and signs are not better explained by another mental or physical health condition or the effects of a substance.
• Can evolve into Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and other types of psychological trauma.

For General Public

• Diagnostic criteria are provided for ASD in the DSM and ICD.
• A mental disorder that can happen after exposure to psychological stressors during specific types of severe, potentially psychologically traumatic events.
• Symptoms may include (but are not limited to): intrusive flashback memories of the event, inability to have positive feelings, trouble remembering the event, avoiding reminders of the event, disturbed sleep or being too vigilant, and sometimes feelings that things are unreal.
• Symptoms begin within one-month of experiencing the potentially psychologically traumatic event and may develop into Posttraumatic Stress Disorder after one month; however, Acute Stress Disorder is not a prerequisite for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
• The diagnosis of Acute Stress Disorder is made if the person’s condition is not better explained by another physical or mental disorder.

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