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HOME / MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS / ANXIETY AND STRESS-RELATED DISORDERS / ACUTE STRESS DISORDER

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Diagnosis Acute Stress CLICK HERE FOR THE

PROFESSIONAL VERSION

Treatment
Disorder
By John W. Barnhill, MD,
OTHER TOPICS IN THIS CHAPTER
Last full review/revision Apr 2020| Content last
Anxiety and Stress-Related modified Apr 2020
Disorders

Overview of Anxiety Disorders Acute stress disorder is an intense, unpleasant, and dysfunctional reaction
beginning shortly after an overwhelming traumatic event and lasting less than
Agoraphobia
a month. If symptoms persist longer than a month, people are diagnosed as
having posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
ADDITIONAL CONTENT

(See also Overview of Trauma- and Stress-Related Disorders.)

People with acute stress disorder have been exposed to a terrifying event. They may experience it
directly or indirectly. For example, direct exposure may involve experiencing serious injury, violence,
or the threat of death. Indirect exposure may involve witnessing events happening to others or
learning of events that occurred to close family members or friends. People mentally re-experience
the traumatic event, avoid things that remind them of it, and have increased anxiety.

People with this disorder may have dissociative symptoms. For example, they may feel emotionally
numb or disconnected from themselves. They may feel that they are not real.

The number of people with acute stress disorder is unknown. The likelihood of developing acute
stress disorder is greater when traumatic events are severe or recurrent.

Diagnosis
A doctor's evaluation, based on specific criteria

Acute stress disorder is diagnosed when people have been

Exposed directly or indirectly to a traumatic event

In addition, they also must have had at least 9 of the following symptoms for 3 days up to 1 month:

Recurring, uncontrollable, and intrusive distressing memories of the event

Recurring distressing dreams of the event
Feelings that the traumatic event is recurring—for example, in flashbacks
Intense psychologic or physical distress when reminded of the event (for example, by entering
a similar location, or by sounds similar to those heard during the event)
A persistent inability to experience positive emotions (such as happiness, satisfaction, or loving
feelings)
An altered sense of reality (for example, feeling in a daze or as if time has slowed)
Memory loss for an important part of the traumatic event
Efforts to avoid distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings associated with the event
Efforts to avoid external reminders (people, places, conversations, activities, objects, and
situations) associated with the event
Disturbed sleep
Irritability or angry outbursts
Excessive attention to the possibility of danger (hypervigilance)
Difficulty concentrating
An exaggerated response to loud noises, sudden movements, or other stimuli (startle
response)

In addition, symptoms must cause significant distress or significantly impair functioning.

Doctors also check to see whether symptoms could result from use of a drug or another disorder.

Treatment
Self-care
Supportive measures

Many people recover from acute stress disorder once they are removed from the traumatic situation
and given appropriate support in the form of understanding, empathy for their distress, and an
opportunity to describe what happened and their reaction to it. Some people benefit from
describing their experience several times. Friends and loved ones can often provide this support.
Otherwise, doctors or other health care professionals are helpful.

Sometimes doctors temporarily give drugs to relieve anxiety or help people sleep, but other drugs
(such as antidepressants) are usually not given.

Self-care
Self-care is crucial during and after a crisis or trauma. Self-care can be divided into 3 components:

Personal safety
Physical health
Mindfulness

Personal safety is fundamental. After a single traumatic episode, people are better able to process
the experience when they know that they and their loved ones are safe. It can be difficult, however,
to gain complete safety during ongoing crises such as domestic abuse, war, or an infectious
pandemic. During such ongoing difficulties, people should seek the guidance of experts on how they
and their loved ones can be as safe as possible.

Physical health can be put at risk during and after traumatic experiences. Everyone should try to
maintain a healthy schedule of eating, sleeping, and exercise. Drugs that sedate and intoxicate (for
example, alcohol) should be used sparingly, if at all.

A mindful approach to self-care aims to reduce the feelings of stress, boredom, anger, sadness,
and isolation that traumatized people normally experience. If circumstances allow, at-risk individuals
should make and follow a daily normal daily schedule, for example, get up, shower, get dressed, go
outside and take a walk, and prepare and eat regular meals.

It is useful to practice familiar hobbies as well as activities that sound fun and distracting: draw a
picture, watch a movie, or cook.

Community involvement can be crucial, even if it is difficult to maintain human connection during a
crisis.

Stretching and exercise are terrific, but it can be equally helpful to sit still and count one's own
breaths or listen carefully for surrounding sounds. People can become preoccupied with the trauma
or crisis, and so it is useful to choose to think of other things: read a novel or get engaged with a
puzzle. Unpleasant emotions may typically feel "frozen" during and after a trauma, and it can be a
relief to find activities that shift the feeling state: laugh, watch a fun movie, do something silly, or
draw with crayons. Under stress, people can become short-tempered, even with people they care
about.

Spontaneous kindness can be a win/win solution for everyone: sending a nice note, making
someone cookies, and offering up a smile may not only be a nice surprise for the recipient, but they
can reduce the hopelessness and passivity that tends to be part of the sender's experience of
trauma.

NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: Click here for the Professional Version

Overview of Trauma- Was This Page Helpful?

and Stress-Related Adjustment Disorder
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Disorders

Others Also Read

Posttraumatic Stress Overview of Trauma- and Acute and Posttraumatic

Disorder (PTSD) Stress-Related Disorders Stress Disorders in Children
and Adolescents

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