Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)
Acute distress response to trauma, similar to PTSD, but occurring within 3 days to 1 month after the event.
Etiology (Biopsychosocial Model)
Biological: Heightened sympathetic response
Psychological: Prior anxiety or trauma history
Social: Intense or sudden trauma, lack of support post-event
Symptoms & Diagnosis (Mnemonic: SHARD)
S - Symptoms occur within 3 days to 1 month
H - Hyperarousal, dissociation
A - Avoidance and emotional numbing
R - Re-experiencing the trauma
D - Distress or impairment in functioning
Treatment
Short-term CBT
Supportive counseling and normalization of response
Relaxation techniques and psychoeducation
Info
DSM-5-TR Code
F43.0
Prevalence
20–50% of individuals following trauma (e.g., accidents, assault); not all progress to PTSD