In PTSD, the duration criterion requires symptoms to persist for more than how long after the trauma?

In PTSD, the duration criterion requires symptoms to persist for more than how long after the trauma?

• A. More than 1 month
• B. Less than 1 week
• C. Exactly 2 weeks
• D. Immediately resolves

Answer: (B)

In PTSD, symptoms must persist for more than one month after the traumatic event. This duration threshold helps distinguish PTSD from Acute Stress Disorder, which is diagnosed when symptoms occur after trauma but last only from 3 days up to 1 month. So, symptoms lasting less than a month (such as less than 1 week or about 2 weeks) do not meet PTSD criteria, nor is immediate resolution compatible with PTSD. If the symptoms continue beyond one month, PTSD is the appropriate diagnosis.

In PTSD, symptoms must persist for more than one month after the traumatic event. This duration threshold helps distinguish PTSD from Acute Stress Disorder, which is diagnosed when symptoms occur after trauma but last only from 3 days up to 1 month. So, symptoms lasting less than a month (such as less than 1 week or about 2 weeks) do not meet PTSD criteria, nor is immediate resolution compatible with PTSD. If the symptoms continue beyond one month, PTSD is the appropriate diagnosis.