Trauma: acute stress disorder versus PTSD: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Trauma: acute stress disorder versus PTSD

Sample item

A survivor of a train accident has intrusive memories, avoidance and hyperarousal beginning 3 days after the event and persisting for 2 weeks. The DSM-5 diagnosis is:

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Acute stress disorder

Acute stress disorder lasts from 3 days up to 1 month after trauma exposure, whereas PTSD requires symptoms lasting more than 1 month. Many patients with acute stress disorder later develop PTSD.

Option by option

  • A. Acute stress disorder (correct)

    Correct. Symptoms between 3 days and one month point to acute stress disorder.

  • B. Panic disorder

    Panic disorder has recurrent unexpected panic attacks.

  • C. Adjustment disorder

    Adjustment disorder follows a stressor that does not meet trauma criteria and lacks the characteristic symptoms.

  • D. PTSD

    PTSD needs duration beyond one month.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is A, Acute stress disorder. Acute stress disorder lasts from 3 days up to 1 month after trauma exposure, whereas PTSD requires symptoms lasting more than 1 month.

Why is "Panic disorder" not the answer?

Panic disorder has recurrent unexpected panic attacks.

Why is "Adjustment disorder" not the answer?

Adjustment disorder follows a stressor that does not meet trauma criteria and lacks the characteristic symptoms.

Why is "PTSD" not the answer?

PTSD needs duration beyond one month.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Trauma: acute stress disorder versus PTSD in Psychiatry. Many patients with acute stress disorder later develop PTSD.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Trauma: acute stress disorder versus PTSD?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.