At some point, we all come to present stress levels . This is to some extent normal in everyday life, because sometimes routine and the unexpected generate this experience.

However, it is good to understand that there are important differences in stress levels and the source of stress. In this article we will clarify what the differences are between acute stress and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder .

In order to clearly establish the differences between these two types of stress, we will first see a summary of each of them, and then move on to establish the specific differences that exist between them.

What is acute stress?

This type of stress occurs in the subject after experiencing some kind of adverse circumstance in his life or after witnessing someone else’s misfortune . For example, some car accident, a particularly difficult break-up, etc.

It has many similarities to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, as the symptoms are almost the same. One of the most significant differences between acute stress and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is the prevalence of these symptoms in the person.

The symptoms of acute stress disorder usually last from three days to a maximum of one month. The intensity of the stress and its consequences on the general health of the subject will depend on the severity of the event that has occurred. The severity of the stress is subjective (the severity depends on the subject’s perception of the event).

The symptoms are characterized by the presence of intrusive thoughts , which are related to the negative experience they lived, causing the person to feel threatened in certain situations that remind him/her of the event, even when the context does not represent a real threat.

Other symptoms may be:

  • Affective Ability (sudden and rapid changes in mood)
  • Emotional Flattening
  • Alterations of consciousness (feeling that they are not real)
  • Difficulty maintaining concentration
  • Sleep problems
  • Recurrent dreams related to the traumatic event

To establish the diagnosis of this disorder the intensity and prevalence of these symptoms in the subject must be evaluated . They must be intense enough to affect at least three significant areas in the subject’s life.

As for the prevalence, it should be expressed between three days and a month; after this period the symptomatology should start to decrease naturally.

What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is characterized by intense feelings of anguish and worry when faced with situations that for the affected person represent a similarity or are related to some traumatic event that has occurred in their life, and even when faced with the mere fact of remembering what happened.

As with acute stress disorder, in this case the subject presents intrusive thoughts related to the trauma experienced in the past , and levels of anxiety that intensify in situations that the person identifies as similar to those of the trauma in question.

For example, a person who has been in a car accident may develop post-traumatic stress disorder, which can cause a sense of fear when thinking about cars.

The intensity of the distress should be sufficient to affect three areas of the person’s life, but in this case the prevalence of symptoms is usually greater than one month . In the most intense cases, the symptoms may last up to one semester.

Differences between PTSD and acute stress

Below is a list of differences between acute stress and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

1. The time when symptoms arise

While in acute stress the characteristic symptoms begin shortly after the traumatic event, in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder the symptoms begin after at least one month has passed .

It may be that before presenting the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder the person shows the symptoms of acute stress, but it would not be until after a month that the intensity of the symptoms begins to be significant.

2. The prevalence of symptoms

In cases of acute stress, the symptoms begin to diminish after a month, and the subject may overcome the trauma and be able to face situations that remind him/her of the traumatic event.

With regard to post-traumatic stress, the prevalence of symptoms is higher and may last up to 6 months, depending on each case.

Final consideration

To conclude, it can be said that the most determining differences between these two types of stress are the onset of symptoms and the length of time they last in the patient .

The treatment for both cases is similar. It includes everything from psychotherapy sessions with the subject and family members. Cognitive-behavioral therapies are one of the most implemented in these cases, and can be combined with the administration of some anxiolytic indicated by the physician.

Bibliographic references:

  • Bisson, J.I., Cosgrove, S., Lewis, C., Robert, N.P. (2015). Post-traumatic stress disorder. BMJ. 351: h6161.
  • Herman, J.L. (1992). Complex PTSD: A syndrome in survivors of prolonged and repeated trauma. Journal of Traumatic Stress. 5 (3): 377 – 391.