Acute stress disorder (ASD) is a psychiatric diagnosis that typically occurs in people within 4 weeks of a traumatic experience. It is an excessive, unpleasant, and dysfunctional reaction that begins soon after an overwhelming traumatic event and lasts less than a month. If symptoms last longer than a month, it is considered post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
People with acute stress disorder have experienced a terrifying event either directly or indirectly.
Direct exposure might involve:
Indirect exposure might involve:
The individual with acute stress disorder will:
Dissociative symptoms of acute stress disorder include:
The diagnosis of ASD is based on specific standards. It is diagnosed when people have experienced a traumatic event either directly or indirectly and must have had at least 9 of the following symptoms for 3 days, up to 1 month.
Also, symptoms must cause substantial distress or significantly hamper functioning. Doctors will also check to make sure the symptoms are not a result of a drug disorder.
Once they are removed from the traumatic event and are given appropriate support, many people recover from acute stress disorder. Friends and loved ones can often provide support in the form of:
At times, doctors will prescribe drugs temporarily to relieve anxiety or help people sleep. Drugs such as antidepressants are typically not prescribed.
CBT is considered the first line of treatment for people with ASD instead of other psychotherapies or medication. It includes:
Treatment goals are to reduce the seriousness of ASD symptoms and prevent the development of post-traumatic stress disorder. Trauma-focused CBT is usually begun at least 2 weeks after the traumatic experience. However, some people may need a delay in beginning exposure. For example, those individuals that are suicidal, severely grieving, or extremely avoidant following trauma have more urgent problems to deal with.
Trauma-focused CBT is the most widely studied treatment for ASD and has the most extensive evidence of effectiveness. Trauma-focused means that the treatment concentrates on the memory of the event and its meaning. It is usually provided by a trained clinician. Treatment typically consists of 6 sessions lasting 60 to 90 minutes each.
Two methods are:
Cognitive restructuring addresses the flawed or unrealistic beliefs concerning the trauma, the individual’s response to the event, and fears of possible future harm.
Exposure therapy helps people confront their fearful memories and situations therapeutically. By having the individual re-experience the trauma through exposure, it allows the event to be emotionally processed. This way it can become less painful. By repeatedly confronting traumatic memories with safe reminders of the experience, the person can experience them safely until they don’t draw out such strong emotions.
Trauma-focused CBT has shown that it can reduce the likelihood of the development of PTSD in people with ASD. An analysis of clinical trials discovered that cognitive-behavioral therapy reduced the proportion of patients who met the diagnostic standards for PTSD at 6 months and had continued benefit at a 3-year follow-up.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) includes intense, unpleasant, and dysfunctional reactions that begin after an overpowering traumatic event. Events that threaten serious injury or death can cause severe, long-lasting distress. Individuals with PTSD may relive the event, have nightmares, and avoid anything and any situation that reminds them of the event.
Similar to an acute stress disorder, the traumatic event may be experienced directly or indirectly and it’s common for individuals to experience multiple traumas rather than just a single event. PTSD affects almost 9% of people sometimes during their life. About 4% experience PTSD during any 12 months.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder lasts for more than 1 month. It may be a continuation of acute stress disorder or start separately up to 6 months after the traumatic event. Also, chronic cases of PTSD might never disappear but it may become less severe over time, even without treatment. Still, some people remain intensely handicapped by the disorder.
Have you recently experienced a traumatic, distressing event? Has this happened to someone you care about? Acute stress disorder can make it difficult to continue a normal life. If you are not able to follow the self-care tips, you may need professional treatment. And if your acute stress disorder has developed into PTSD, you will need professional psychotherapy.
Lido Wellness Center in Newport Beach, California is experienced in the treatment of anxiety and stress disorders. You don’t have to avoid or be afraid of life anymore. Contact us today.
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