Updated on October 1, 2026 by John Ingham
Acute stress disorder was introduced in DSM-IV in 1994 as a diagnosis for people who experience a traumatic event. It is closely related to PTSD and shares many similar symptoms. However, there are some key differences between the two mental health disorders. Learning more about acute stress disorder can be beneficial when people have experienced trauma and want to seek professional help.
What Is Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)?
Acute stress disorder is diagnosed when qualifying symptoms persist for 3 days through 1 month after exposure to trauma. In the days or weeks following a traumatic event, a person can develop extreme anxiety. If they seek treatment, it can then be diagnosed by a healthcare professional as ASD. People diagnosed with ASD share many similar symptoms to those with PTSD.
How Common Is Acute Stress Disorder?
The prevalence of ASD is difficult to gauge since it shares many similar symptoms with PTSD. Some people can be misdiagnosed as having PTSD when they have ASD. The prevalence rates have also varied across research studies and different types of traumatic experiences. The average of these studies found that approximately 19% of people exposed to trauma will develop ASD.
However, the rates varied based on the type of traumatic experience as follows:
- Motor vehicle accidents: 13-21%
- Traumatic brain injury: 14%
- Physical assault: 24%
- Sexual assault: 59%
What’s the Difference Between Acute Stress Disorder and PTSD?
Acute stress disorder and PTSD differ in their diagnostic timing and symptom criteria. ASD applies when qualifying symptoms persist for 3 days through 1 month after trauma. PTSD can be diagnosed when qualifying symptoms last longer than one month.
PTSD symptoms commonly begin within three months of trauma but can emerge later. Some people with ASD later develop PTSD, while others recover; PTSD can also develop without a preceding ASD diagnosis.
The course of symptoms and the length of treatment vary substantially for both conditions. There is no standard one-to-three-year treatment duration for PTSD. Care should be tailored to the person’s symptoms, needs, and response to treatment.
Symptoms and Causes
There are several symptoms and causes of acute stress disorder that are triggered after experiencing a traumatic event.
What Are the Symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder?
Some of the more common symptoms of acute stress disorder that develop within a few days up to a month after the traumatic event include:
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Irritability
- Sleep disturbance
- Anxiety
- Extreme fear
- Feeling helpless
- Detachment
- Numbness
- Avoidance of people, places, or things related to the traumatic event
- Being on guard/hypervigilant
What Causes Acute Stress Disorder?
ASD is caused by exposure to a traumatic event, which could include the following:
- The death of a loved one
- Being physically assaulted
- Being sexually assaulted
- Experiencing severe injuries
- Being in a car accident
- A natural disaster
- Receiving a terminal illness diagnosis
- Experiencing a traumatic brain injury
- Witnessing a traumatic event where someone is severely injured or killed
What Are the Risk Factors for Acute Stress Disorder?
In addition to being exposed to a traumatic event, ASD could be caused by biological and psychological factors as well. When a person has a pre-existing mental health disorder, such as depression or anxiety, they can be more vulnerable to developing ASD. People with a genetic predisposition and a family history of mental health disorders can also be at risk of developing ASD. Other risk factors could include:
- Prior untreated/unresolved trauma
- Constant worry
- Avoidant/social anxiety lifestyle
- Lack of a strong support system
- Being female
- Being 40 years or younger
In fact, high stress levels don’t just affect mental health. They can also trigger physical conditions, such as eczema on scalp, where flare-ups are often linked to periods of anxiety or trauma.
What Is the Treatment for Acute Stress Disorder?
The treatment for ASD is similar to PTSD treatment. It involves using comprehensive, evidence-based and holistic therapeutic modalities, including:
- Psychotherapy (talk therapy)
- Trauma therapy
- CBT
- DBT
- Mindfulness/Meditation
- Medications
- Group therapy
The types of therapies and treatments used will vary from person to person. Care plans must be personalized to fit the individual’s unique needs and severity of their ASD.
Can Acute Stress Disorder Be Prevented?
There is no way to ensure that individuals are never exposed to a traumatic event. So, there is no way to completely prevent ASD. However, there are several things people can do if they ever experience trauma to reduce the likelihood of developing ASD and possibly PTSD, including:
- Seeking mental health treatment after experiencing a traumatic event, even when you are not experiencing any symptoms of ASD.
- Being willing to openly talk about what occurred with family, friends, or in a group support setting.
- Working with a mental health professional to develop effective coping skills should symptoms develop
- Obtaining preparation training and counseling for high-risk jobs, such as fire, police, healthcare, and military jobs
Contact Montare Behavioural Health to Treat Acute Stress Disorder
If you have experienced a traumatic event or are already experiencing ASD symptoms, it is important to seek mental health treatment. The sooner you start treatment, the better it will be for your mental well-being. At Montare Behavioral Health, we provide personalized, comprehensive ASD care at our treatment centers in California and Arizona. Contact us today to take the first steps of regaining control over your life and overcoming ASD.
Published: 3/18/2025