Do I Have Acute Stress Disorder?

Did you directly experience exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violation?

Did you witness, in person, actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violation?

Did you learn that an actual threat of death, serious injury or sexual violation occurred to a close family member/friend?

Did you experience repeated or extreme exposure to details of a traumatic event (actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violation)?

Do you show the presence of recurrent, involuntary and intrusive distressing memories of the traumatic event(s)?

Do you experience recurrent distressing dreams about the traumatic event(s)?

Do you show intense or prolonged psychological distress in response to cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event(s)?

Do you show persistent negative mood?

Do you show an altered sense of the reality of your surroundings or yourself?

Do you show an inability to remember an important aspect of the traumatic event(s)?

Do you try to avoid distressing memories/feelings about the traumatic event(s)?

Do you try to avoid external reminders about the traumatic event(s)?

Do you experience sleep disturbance?

Do you experience irritable behavior and angry outbursts?

Do you experience hyper-vigilance?

Do you experience problems with concentration?

Do you experience an exaggerated response to startling events?

Have the disturbances described in the prior questions occurred 3 days to 1 month after your exposure to the traumatic event(s)?

Do the disturbances described in the prior questions cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning?

Are you sure that the disturbances are not attributable to the effects of a substance (e.g., medication or alcohol), or another medical condition (e.g., mild traumatic brain injury), or that they are not better explained by a brief psychotic disorder?

Based on your answers, you do not have acute stress disorder.

It is unlikely you have acute stress disorder. However, if you experienced or witnessed a traumatic event which causes impairment in daily functioning, it is advised that you seek professional help.

While it is unlikely that you have acute stress disorder, you are displaying some signs related to this condition. It is advised that you visit your doctor for further diagnosis. Your doctor will ask you about the traumatic event and about your symptoms, and decide if treatment or therapy is needed.

Unfortunately, you are displaying symptoms typically seen among individuals who have acute stress disorder. An essential next step is to visit your doctor as soon as you can. If your doctor, after interviews and testing, concludes that you meet the diagnostic criteria for acute stress disorder, the doctor may create a treatment plan for you. Treatment may include medication, cognitive-behavioral therapy, or exposure-based therapy. These different treatments may help reduce your chances of developing PTSD. The earlier you receive treatment, the better the outcome will typically be.