What is the DSM-IV-TR difference between acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder as described in the material?

• A. PTSD has more flashbacks and lasts at least one month
• B. ASD has more flashbacks and lasts longer
• C. PTSD occurs within a week only
• D. ASD and PTSD are identical

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how DSM-IV-TR differentiates ASD from PTSD by timing after a trauma and by the nature of reexperiencing symptoms. Acute stress disorder happens soon after the event and lasts from about three days up to one month. Post-traumatic stress disorder, on the other hand, requires symptoms that persist for more than one month and typically features prominent reexperiencing, such as flashbacks.

So the statement that PTSD includes more flashbacks and lasts at least a month captures both the longer duration and the stronger reexperiencing aspect that distinguish PTSD from ASD. The other ideas don’t fit: ASD is not longer in duration, and PTSD is not restricted to happening within a week only; ASD and PTSD are not identical.