What symptom is associated with acute stress disorder but does not persist beyond 4 weeks?

The symptom associated with acute stress disorder that does not persist beyond 4 weeks is intrusive thoughts. Acute stress disorder occurs following exposure to a traumatic event, and it is characterized by a range of symptoms, including intrusive thoughts, severe anxiety, re-experiencing the event, and flashbacks.

However, intrusive thoughts, which are unwanted memories or thoughts about the trauma, typically occur in the acute phase and may dissipate as the individual processes the trauma and begins to adapt. According to diagnostic criteria, while other symptoms like severe anxiety, re-experiencing, and flashbacks can persist for longer durations, intrusive thoughts in the context of acute stress disorder commonly resolve within 4 weeks after the trauma, aligning with the acute nature of this disorder.

The temporal aspect of these symptoms is crucial in distinguishing acute stress disorder from post-traumatic stress disorder, where symptoms last longer than 4 weeks. Thus, the nature of intrusive thoughts to subside more quickly makes them distinctly associated with acute stress disorder.