How does ASD differ from PTSD in terms of duration?

• A. ASD occurs within 3 days to 1 month after trauma; PTSD symptoms persist beyond 1 month.
• B. ASD and PTSD have identical duration criteria.
• C. PTSD symptoms persist for less than a week.
• D. ASD lasts longer than a year.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is how long the symptoms last after a traumatic event. Acute Stress Disorder is defined by symptoms that begin within 3 days to 1 month after the trauma and, if present, last from at least 3 days up to 1 month. If those symptoms continue beyond 1 month, the diagnosis shifts to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, which involves a longer duration and can persist for months or even years. So the difference is basically a time boundary: ASD is the brief, early reaction; PTSD is the longer-lasting reaction that extends past one month.