Overview
Acute stress disorder is a condition that can occur either immediately after, or within a month of experiencing a traumatic event or occurrence. The condition is short lived lasting for a period of either a few days or up to three or four weeks. Symptoms are very similar to those of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) but are not as severe or long lasting, but people who have suffered from acute stress disorder can go on to develop PTSD.
It should not be confused with a condition called adjustment disorder which is also caused by experiencing stressful events, but these are usually considered to be less traumatic than those experienced in acute stress disorder. So for example, it could be as a result of losing your job or the end of a close relationship, rather than having experienced something that was life threatening or resulted in a physical or sexual assault.
The condition can effect anyone at any age but it’s difficult to say exactly how many people are affected by acute stress disorder, as they may not seek medical treatment unless the condition lasts for over a month and they are actually experiencing symptoms of PTSD. Research shows that around six to thirty three percent of people who have experienced a traumatic event can go on to develop acute stress disorder.
The type of event a person has experienced can also effect the likelihood of them developing the condition, as people who have survived natural disasters or accidents and developed it are lower than those that have experienced physical injury or sexual abuse.
Causes of acute stress disorder
As the condition occurs as a direct result of either witnessing or experiencing a traumatic or life changing event, it can affect almost anyone, anywhere during their lifetime and have a variety of causes these can include having:
· Suffered a severe injury or illness or being diagnosed with a potentially life threatening condition
· Been involved in, or witness to a serious accident
· Witnessing someone being assaulted or killed
· The unexpected death of someone they loved
· Being directly affected by a natural disaster such as fire, flood, earthquake or tsunami
· Finding themselves in a situation where they thought their life was threatened or in danger
· Being verbally abused
· Having been the victim of a physical or sexual assault or long term abuse
· Were involved in a violent conflict or war
Associated risks or complications
You could be more at risk of developing acute stress disorder if you have previously suffered a traumatic event or had a dissociative reaction to that event. Having other mental health conditions could also increase your chances of it developing. People who either have a poor support system, an avoidant coping style or are prone to catastrophic worrying could also be at higher risk. The only complication of acute stress disorder is that it can potentially lead to the development of PTSD if it remains untreated.
Physical symptoms
These will generally occur within either minutes or hours of the event and can last for at least three days but no more than three or four weeks. They are caused as a result of the bodies hormone levels changing, such as an increase in adrenaline and the overactivity of the nervous system. They can cause symptoms such as:
· Chest pain
· Sweating
· Palpitations
· Difficulty breathing
· Nausea
· Headaches
· Stomach pains
Psychological symptoms
The psychological symptoms of acute stress disorder fall into the following categories:
Arousal
This can affect a person’s sleep pattern which can result in nightmares or conditions like insomnia where their sleep is disturbed or they struggle to fall asleep. They can have problems concentrating, feel tense, irritable or on edge, resulting in them being easily startled, seemingly for no reason. Find it difficult to relax and struggle to stop moving about or stay still. They can also struggle with feelings of anger and this can lead to verbal or even physical aggression.
Avoidance
They will often avoid places or situations that remind them of or cause them to re live the traumatic event they suffered. This can include avoiding thoughts, feelings, conversations, objects activities or people, in order to do so.
Dissociation
They can experience a sense of feeling numb or detached and be emotionally unresponsive and have a reduced awareness of their surroundings. They may experience derealisation which causes them to feel like their environment seems unreal or strange, or depersonalisation where their thoughts or emotions feel like they don’t belong to them, or don’t seem real. In some cases they might develop dissociative amnesia where they can’t fully remember all the details of the event that occurred.
Intrusion
Have flashbacks to the event that they are unable to control, or intrusive thoughts that can be upsetting or distressing, as well as dreams or nightmares in which they can re live the event.
Negativity
Suffer from feelings of sadness or low mood that they struggle to shake off and have negative thoughts and feelings that make it hard for them to express positive ones.
Diagnosis and treatment
Whilst many people can recover from acute stress disorder on their own without needing help, if you are struggling with symptoms after experiencing a traumatic event, you should initially see your doctor. They can talk to you about how you are feeling and your general health which can help them to rule out any other condition that could be causing your symptoms such as:
· Side effects of medication
· Other undiagnosed mental health conditions
· Drug misuse or addiction
· Any physical health condition
Once your doctor has ruled out any other causes for your symptoms, and depending on their severity, they can suggest either self-care and support, medication or therapy.
Self-Care and support
Depending on the nature of your traumatic experience this could involve ensuring your physical safety and well-being, if for instance you need shelter, food, clothing or financial support in cases of natural disasters, or domestic physical or sexual assault.
You may need emotional support from family and friends or if this is unavailable a healthcare provider. You will also need to ensure you take care of yourself by ensuring you have a healthy diet and get regular sleep, which taking exercise can help with. Also try and avoid caffeine and alcohol or reduce your intake. Trying mindfulness exercises or meditation and avoiding the short term relief that alcohol or non-prescribed medications can provide as temporary coping mechanisms.
Medication
Generally medication is not as effective as therapy, but your doctor can prescribe short-term medication such as antianxiety or antidepressant medications if your symptoms are severe.
Beta-blockers can be more effective as they are non-addictive and don’t cause drowsiness, but they can help with some of the physical symptoms caused by the body releasing stress hormones.
Therapy
A mental health professional can provide a variety of therapies to help you manage your symptoms including:
CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy)
A form of talking therapy and one of the most common forms of therapy used for acute stress disorder, it teaches you how to deal with the effects of the traumatic event and how to avoid triggers.
Trauma-focused CBT
Can help to reduce the risk of acute stress disorder developing into PTSD.
Exposure therapy
Involves gradually exposing patients to their fears which can help them to learn how to cope with their anxiety.
Counselling
Can help patients to explore ways of coping with their stress and the symptoms it causes.
Clinical hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy can help with stress, anxiety and insomnia and is particularly helpful in cases of PTSD.
Prognosis
Some people can recover from acute stress disorder on their own or with the help of a healthcare provider. Treatment could reduce your chances of it leading to PTSD, and even in cases where it does lead to PTSD, approximately half of these cases will resolve within six months. Written by Jan, Jeana and Wendy at Barnsley Hypnosis and Counselling (UK). For more free Information click above link.
