Acute stress disorder (ASD) is a short-term mental health condition that can happen after a traumatic event. This is an event that causes a reaction of fear, helplessness, or horror.

When you have ASD, you may feel emotionally numb. You may relive the event through disturbing memories or dreams. And you may avoid things that remind you of the event. These symptoms are so intense that they disrupt daily activities like going to work and interacting with other people. Symptoms of ASD last less than 1 month. Symptoms that last longer than 1 month are called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).