Acute stress disorder (ASD) and its predictivity in development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been researched extensively so far. Symptoms of peritraumatic dissociation (PD) has been proven as a predictive factor for PTSD, but recent studies have shown greater need for distinction of peritraumatic versus persistent dissociation.

Symptoms of PD and of persistent dissociation in subjects diagnosed with ASD will be predictive of PTSD symptoms.

To investigate the development of ASD symptoms, symptoms of PD and of persistent dissociation within the first month of traumatic event (initial) and six months later (follow-up) in victims of traffic accidents.

At the moment, 25 subject were included in initial phase, and 18 at follow-up. Subject were interwieved, Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, Acute Stress Disorder Structured Interview, Clinician Administered PTSD Scale, The Dissociative Experience Scale, and The Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire were administered.

10 subjects were diagnosed with PTSD in the follow-up. Preliminary results support for a greater risk for PTSD when dissociative symptoms are present, of PD or persistent dissociation.

Greater distinction of dissociative symptoms in the acute trauma phase should be taken into account when diagnosing ASD. It could be eventually helpfull with identifying individuals at risk for PTSD.