Acute Stress Disorder is characterized by symptoms that occur shortly after what type of event?

Acute Stress Disorder is specifically characterized by the onset of symptoms in response to a traumatic event. This disorder typically arises following exposure to an event that involves actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. Symptoms can include intrusive memories, avoidance behaviors, negative mood, dissociation, and heightened arousal, which manifest within three days to one month after the trauma.

The nature of Acute Stress Disorder highlights the direct link between the experience of trauma and the emergence of its symptoms, distinguishing it from disorders that may stem from chronic stress, life changes, or social conflict. While these other contexts can certainly impact mental health, they do not align with the diagnostic criteria for Acute Stress Disorder, which is firmly rooted in the aftermath of a clearly defined traumatic incident.