Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Brief Overview and Guide to Assessment

Abstract

Provides a broad overview of issues related to the assessment of both potentially traumatizing events (PTEs) and possible symptoms associated with these events. The assessment of trauma-related symptomatology is described as it relates to 2 of the most common stress-related responses, acute stress disorder (ASD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The definition, prevalence, and relationship of PTEs to psychopathology is discusses followed by a brief discussion of the assessment of PTEs. The 2nd part of the chapter deals with the assessment of posttraumatic symptomatology, including ASD and PTSD. It is concluded that given the fact that virtually al medical professionals and mental health providers will encounter clients who have been exposed to PTEs, it is important that the clinician know how to assess both the stressful event experienced and the possible symptoms related to that event in a manner least likely to lead to either under- overendorsement of symptoms. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)