Clinical Practice SWES Exam 2026 – Complete Prep Resource

The correct distinction between Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) primarily lies in the duration of symptoms following the trauma. Acute Stress Disorder is characterized by symptoms that last from three days to one month after the traumatic event, whereas PTSD is diagnosed when symptoms persist for more than one month and can arise at any time after the trauma.

While PTSD may include more pronounced symptoms, such as flashbacks, these are not exclusive to PTSD, nor do they serve as the primary distinguishing factor between the two disorders. Both conditions share similar symptomatology, including intrusive memories, avoidance behaviors, and hyperarousal. However, the critical difference remains in the timeline of symptom occurrence, which renders the duration following trauma and length of symptoms as the more salient distinguishing features. This comparison highlights the importance of understanding the time frame in which symptoms develop in diagnosing and differentiating between the two conditions effectively.