What duration of symptoms defines Acute Stress Disorder?

Acute Stress Disorder is characterized by the presence of symptoms such as intrusive memories, avoidance of reminders of the trauma, and heightened arousal occurring in response to a traumatic event. The key aspect that defines Acute Stress Disorder is the duration of these symptoms. For a diagnosis, the symptoms need to last for a minimum of three days and can extend up to one month following the traumatic incident. If the symptoms persist beyond one month, the diagnosis would generally shift to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Thus, the definition of Acute Stress Disorder is specifically tied to a duration of symptoms that is less than one month. This timeframe is essential for clinicians to differentiate between acute and chronic reactions to trauma and to ensure appropriate treatment and intervention strategies are employed.