What is the Difference Between Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder?

This video discusses the differences between Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Both disorders require a qualifying stressor (trauma) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). This traumatic event must be directly experienced, witnessed, occur to a close friend or family member, or involve repeated exposure to aversive details of a trauma.
PTSD is characterized by the developing of specific symptoms after a qualifying stressor. The general symptom categories include intrusion, avoidance, negative mood, and arousal. Specific symptoms include recurrent memories, recurrent dreams, dissociative reactions, avoiding thoughts, avoiding feelings, avoiding memories, avoiding external reminders, negative beliefs, memory difficulties, negative emotions, cognitive distortions, hypervigilance, self-destructive behavior, sleep disturbance, difficulty concentrating, recklessness, and anger outbursts. The criteria must be met for at least one month. ASD has a similar set of symptom criteria, however, the symptoms must be present for at least three days but no more than one month. After a traumatic event, individuals who are assessed for ASD may go on to develop PTSD. About 80% of individuals who are diagnosed with the full criteria of ASD will develop PTSD. About 60% of individuals who have subclinical ASD will develop PTSD. About 4% of individuals who do not qualify for ASD will develop PTSD.

[tsbcmhc]

These two disorders are very similar and to know that 80% of people diagnosed with ASD will develop PTSD is very important to recognize as clinicians! This gives you the ability to foresee potential issues, which can help the client prepare.

[angelinastanton]

PTSD was always difficult for me to understand, but this video definitely helped break down the symptoms and criterion for this disorder. I was very surprised with the statistics near the end that explained how individuals with Acute Stress Disorder can develop PTSD. This was a very interesting video overall. I can see how ASD and PTSD are different after watching.

[raindrops]

I have PTSD and ocd, depression, anxiety. Your videos really help me a great deal. Thanks so much. I appreciate the compassion your offer.

[virginiamurrey]

This is a good tool to use for a brush up of information or for someone trying to get a general overview of these concepts. The video is very clear and understandable, while giving great information.

[adambrowne]

I like how there is a distinction between acute stress and Post-traumatic stress disorders. By distinguishing these disorders from one another, a person with acute stress can be monitored and, hopefully, treated before their stress turns into full-blown PTSD. By distinguishing between the two, a therapist knows how to better help their clients based on the type of stress they have.

[serendipitous_synchronicity]

Loving your video library Dr Grande, thank you!

[kikixiong]

This is very useful after your expansions of acute and chronic trauma. I think the detailed descriptions of the distinction are beneficial to treatments. However, I would like to learn more about the differences in treatments for both of the disorders.

[suzgen]

I found helpful the diagnostic purpose of ASD and interesting the probability of someone developing PTSD based on the three forms of ASD after experiencing a trauma.

[veronicabetz]

This is a very informative video. The assessment done on individuals who present these symptoms must be very concise because the primary difference with these two disorders is time.

[kelly]

It seems that the main difference to discern between the two is the time frames. Acute is for a short amount of time while PTSD can last for a longer period of time. It is helpful to find the main difference between these terms in regards to memorization. Many terms do sound and seem similar so it can become very confusing or easy to interchange them if we aren't careful.

[HafizahHoshni]

Awesomely informative and perfectly explained! Thank you so much! 😊😊 24/3/2019

[happycamper]

Dear Dr. Todd Grande.... I am writing unrelated to this video except for the word “stress” which does apply ..My nephew’s wife, and my son’s new wife have similar personalities.. I have heard the term “Histrionic Personality Disorder, ” But can’t find anything in your repertoire of educational materials .. The two young women behave in controlling and manipulative ways, kind of narcissistically. And, they both have isolated their men from all family members on both sides, but the wives control through “hysterical emotions” that have turned their men into puppets to protect them.. I don’t know If this clinical term fits them; but, would so appreciate understanding of this type of personality. I am hoping that a basic understanding could rescue the young men, or at least armed them with an understanding of their wives, enough so, that they might reclaim their lives even if we are isolated from them.. Thank you for all your materials! So helpful and interesting.

[JoeDirt-elfr]

These two disorders are similar however PTSD is something very complex from prolonged trauma.

[mab]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge in public and I appreciate that you provide visual aid. I enjoy learning with your videos. Its the perfect teaching style for me. I'm grateful for the invention of the internet too.

[johnharrisjr]

This video explained the differences between Acute Stress Disorder(ASD) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD). I thought it was interesting that approximately 80% of individuals who are diagnosed with ASD will develop PTSD.

[rightnow]

Dr. Grande do you have other social media sights?

[ayo]

Hi dr grande,
I have been always suffering from anxiety, recently about 2 months ago I had a strange experience. First of all, I'm not too happy in my job and it is so stressful to me especially that I'm trying very hard to live up to my supervisor's high exception of me. What happened is that she called me and started to give me the "hard talk" all of a sudden . She started bashing me and blaming me for the delays and ect .
She shocked me . and I felt suffocated I couldn't breath and I felt that all of the blood was rushing to my head and then I started loosing sight and I couldn't hear what she was says. She noticed that and sat me down before I fainted, I couldn't feel myself since I was not completely conscious but she told me the next days and it looked like I'm having a seizure . I went to the specialist she said it is a trauma. Is it really? Coz I feel disappointed of myself for not being stronge enough to stand in that situation. If it is a choice I would leave my job since is giving me a lot of stress but I know that money don't come from trees .
I hope my English was good enough to understand. Sorry

[MasinaTai]

That explains it episodes beginning uni. I assumed that Acute Stress Disorder was the same thing as PTSD so never looked up Acute SD. I can see how it turns into PTSD.. Haven't watched your other video addressing all the different trauma specific conditions yet though... "Lifes like a box of (assorted) chocolates"

[TheYvetteJasmine]

I have a question. Maybe someone can help me. Is it possible to have AsD symptoms for lets say 6 weeks? Then the symptoms resolve?? Is that technically diagnosable??

[rhobot]

But my memory is excellent! I don't understand the criteria for not remembering details. What of the traumatic events am I not supposed -haha to be remembering?! The weather? The Pantone color of that year? I don't get it. That criteria mystifies me.