Which statement accurately describes the temporal distinction between acute stress disorder and PTSD?

Which statement accurately describes the temporal distinction between acute stress disorder and PTSD?

• A. PTSD requires symptoms for more than 1 month; acute stress disorder lasts less than 1 month
• B. PTSD requires symptoms for less than 1 month; acute stress lasts more than 6 months
• C. Both require at least 2 weeks
• D. Acute stress disorder lasts longer than PTSD

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how long symptoms must persist after a traumatic event to qualify for each diagnosis. Acute stress disorder arises after trauma and lasts from about 3 days up to 1 month. If symptoms continue past one month, the diagnosis becomes PTSD, which requires symptoms to persist for more than one month. So, the statement that PTSD requires symptoms for more than 1 month and acute stress disorder lasts less than 1 month correctly captures the difference in timing. The other choices misstate the durations—for example, PTSD is not diagnosed when symptoms are under a month, ASD is not defined as lasting over 6 months, and ASD does not last longer than PTSD.

The main idea here is how long symptoms must persist after a traumatic event to qualify for each diagnosis. Acute stress disorder arises after trauma and lasts from about 3 days up to 1 month. If symptoms continue past one month, the diagnosis becomes PTSD, which requires symptoms to persist for more than one month. So, the statement that PTSD requires symptoms for more than 1 month and acute stress disorder lasts less than 1 month correctly captures the difference in timing. The other choices misstate the durations—for example, PTSD is not diagnosed when symptoms are under a month, ASD is not defined as lasting over 6 months, and ASD does not last longer than PTSD.