1. Must-Know Diagnoses & Timeframes

• Acute Stress Disorder (ASD): Develops after a traumatic event; symptoms (reexperiencing, avoidance, hyperarousal) last 3 days to 4 weeks.
• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Symptoms can be delayed and last >1 month. It is chronic, with symptoms often worsening during stressful periods.
• Adjustment Disorder: Reaction to stressful life events (e.g., financial, work) causing out-of-proportion difficulty coping. Successful adjustment or resolution occurs within 6 months.
• Dissociative Disorders: Subconscious defense mechanisms protecting the emotional self from horrific trauma. Includes Dissociative Amnesia, Dissociative Identity Disorder, and Depersonaliz ...