Traumatic stress

Traumatic stress is recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as an acute emotional condition associated with reactive anxiety. The condition presents in a manner similar to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but lacking the same intensity and duration.

It is usually possible to identify the stressful event in this disorder, while the definition of PTSD has the symptoms manifesting at least three months after the stressful event or period of stress.

References

• American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition. Washington, D.C.: APA. ISBN 0890420246. OCLC 43483668.