LMSW Practice Test

The difference between "acute stress disorder" and "post-traumatic stress disorder" in DSM-IV is

1. PTSD has more flashback symptoms and occurs over a period of at least one month

2. more somaticizing accompanies acute stress disorder

3. the degree of trauma

4. the length of time following trauma and length of time symptoms are experienced

The correct answer is: PTSD has more flashback symptoms and occurs over a period of at least one month

The distinction between "acute stress disorder" (ASD) and "post-traumatic stress disorder" (PTSD) primarily hinges on the duration and timing of symptoms following a traumatic event. Acute stress disorder is diagnosed when symptoms occur in the immediate aftermath of trauma, typically within three days to four weeks. In contrast, PTSD is diagnosed when the symptoms persist for more than one month. The correct choice highlights that PTSD includes more pronounced flashback symptoms and requires a symptom duration of at least one month for a diagnosis. This temporal difference underscores the transition from acute stress reactions to chronic PTSD, as well as the complexity and persistence of PTSD symptoms, which often intertwine with severe re-experiencing of the trauma. In terms of the other options, while some may touch on factors such as somatic symptoms or the degree of trauma that can influence the severity of symptoms, they do not capture the quintessential diagnostic criteria that differentiate the two disorders as succinctly as the specific duration of symptoms and the related experience of flashbacks do.