They also share the same symptoms, including being easily startled, having recurrent flashbacks of the traumatic event, difficulty sleeping, nightmares, withdrawing from some people and particular events, and having intrusive thoughts about the event.
Stress disorders. Acute stress disorder (ASD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are both are triggered by a traumatic event such as being in combat, a life-threatening event, a natural disaster, or an assault. They also share the same symptoms, including being easily startled, having recurrent flashbacks of the traumatic event, difficulty sleeping, nightmares, withdrawing from some people and particular events, and having intrusive thoughts about the event. Acute stress disorder is diagnosed when symptoms persist for three to 30 days after the traumatic event. PTSD is diagnosed when symptoms persist for more than one month; in some cases, PTSD symptoms do not begin until six months or more after the traumatic event.