Acute stress disorder vs. PTSD
Two weeks after a serious car crash, a man has intrusive memories, nightmares, and avoids driving. The most likely diagnosis is:
Answer C: explanation for every choice
A
PTSD requires symptoms lasting more than one month.
B
Adjustment disorder follows a stressor that need not be traumatic and lacks this trauma-specific pattern.
C
Correct. Acute stress disorder describes trauma-related symptoms lasting from 3 days to 1 month after the event.
D
Generalized anxiety disorder is chronic, diffuse worry not tied to a specific trauma.
TakeawayTrauma symptoms under 1 month → acute stress disorder. Over 1 month → PTSD.
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Reviewed 2026-11-05 by a medical student. Spot an error? Report it with question ID ps121.