Uncovering The Parallels Between Acute Stress Disorder And PTSD: Similarities & Differences

Acute stress disorder vs. post-traumatic stress disorder: These are related mental health conditions that tend to manifest as similar symptoms. However, these symptoms may occur on different timelines and may require different slightly different forms of treatment. Here, we’ll explore the similarities and differences between the mental health conditions acute stress disorder (ASD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as the treatment approaches available for both conditions.

What is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can sometimes develop in an individual who is exposed to a highly distressing and/or life-threatening event. Some examples include a natural disaster, terrorist attack, serious accident, or assault. Cases of ongoing trauma such as abuse or war can result in complex PTSD, or c-PTSD. Symptoms of both are usually similar, though c-PTSD symptoms can be more intense. 

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The psychological responses to traumatic events like these can be diverse, affecting everyone in unique ways. To potentially receive a PTSD diagnosis, a person must meet diagnostic criteria across the following eight categories per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V):

1. They experienced, witnessed, or received news of a traumatic event.

2. They relive the experience persistently, such as through flashbacks, nightmares, and emotional responses to memories.

3. They exhibit avoidance symptoms of trauma-related feelings and memories.

4. They have negative feelings or thoughts after the trauma as evidenced by at least two symptoms, such as negative affect, an inability to remember details of the event, and a tendency to blame self or others.

5. They experience trauma-related hyperarousal symptoms as a result of the stress response as evidenced by at least two signs, such as having an exaggerated startle response, concentration difficulties, irritability, sleep difficulties or sleep disturbances, hypervigilance, and risky behavior.

6. The symptoms last for more than one month.

7. The symptoms cause the person distress or functional impairment at work or in social situations.

8. The symptoms are not the result of substance use, medication, or another illness.

To identify these symptoms in an individual, a mental health professional may conduct an informal interview about the basics of the potentially traumatic events they experienced. Or, they might guide the client through a trauma screening questionnaire about their symptoms.

What is acute stress disorder (ASD)?

Like PTSD, acute stress disorder (ASD) is a psychological condition characterized by significant distress that arises after experiencing, witnessing, or receiving news of a traumatic or life-threatening event. 

In order for a diagnosis of ASD to be considered, the DSM-V requires that a person experience at least nine symptoms across the five categories of negative mood, intrusion, persistent avoidance, disassociation, and arousal. Symptoms of ASD may be temporary—but if they’re not addressed, ASD can turn into PTSD and cause longer-term challenges.

Acute stress disorder symptoms must occur within the first month after a traumatic event and must last no longer than 30 days. ASD typically represents an immediate and short-term reaction to the trauma. This is one of the key differences between ASD and PTSD, which we’ll explore below.

ASD and PTSD: Key similarities

Understanding the connections between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and acute stress disorder may help licensed mental health professionals serve client needs more effectively. It can also help individuals understand when it may be time to seek treatment for any symptoms they might be experiencing.

Both of these conditions were classified as anxiety disorders in the DSM-IV but are now classified as trauma- and stressor-related disorders in the DSM-V. Both have a common origin: the experience, witnessing, or hearing of a traumatic event. PTSD and ASD also can cause similar symptoms, such as intrusive memories, flashbacks, dissociative symptoms, avoidance behaviors, and increased arousal.

Acute stress disorder vs. PTSD: Key differences

Because of the difference in the timing of symptoms, ASD treatments and PTSD treatments may vary slightly. PTSD is often treated with trauma-focused CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive processing therapy, cognitive therapy, or prolonged exposure therapy. These are the modalities strongly recommended for PTSD by the American Psychological Association (APA). 

The APA also conditionally recommends three other forms of psychotherapy for PTSD: brief eclectic psychotherapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, and narrative exposure therapy. Some individuals may also be prescribed medication for PTSD treatment in conjunction with therapy to help manage symptoms. 

Again, ASD tends to occur shortly after a traumatic event. That means treatment may involve any necessary assistance in the immediate aftermath, such as providing emergency medical care and ensuring a person has connections to food and shelter, if applicable. 

The main therapeutic modalities that may be recommended to treat symptoms of an ASD diagnosis after that also include CBT and exposure therapy. Some individuals may be prescribed short-term medication as well to help with sleep problems following a recent prior trauma. 

Seeking support after a traumatic event or for symptoms of mental disorders

Processing a traumatic experience and coping with any effects can be difficult to do on one’s own. In fact, seeking social support by talking it out with friends or family may be a resilience factor against developing PTSD, with lack of social support being a potential risk factor.

If you experience symptoms of ASD, it can also be crucial to seek professional support, as early treatment might prevent it from evolving into PTSD. If you experience symptoms of PTSD, getting treatment may also be critical. The signs typically won’t go away on their own, and substance misuse for emotional numbing and having suicidal thoughts are two of the potentially severe symptoms that could develop in an individual with PTSD, particularly without treatment.

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or urges, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text 988 to talk to someone over SMS. Support is available 24/7.

If you’re interested in trying therapy to engage in psychological debriefing and to process trauma but find that your symptoms make it difficult to leave home, you might consider online therapy instead. With an online therapy service like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a licensed therapist and meet with them via phone, video call, and/or in-app messaging from the comfort of home or anywhere with an internet connection. Research suggests that internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in particular can be effective for treating a variety of mental health conditions, from PTSD to social anxiety disorder.