Acute Stress Disorder is an unpleasant, intense, and dysfunctional response that starts shortly after an overwhelmingly traumatic event. This should last less than a month. If it lasts longer than that, it could be diagnosed as PTSD.

People who have acute stress disorder have been exposed to or experienced a terrifying event. The types of events that can cause this can be experiencing a serious injury, the threat of death, or violence of some kind. Exposure to traumatic events that happen to others or learning about these kinds of events that have happened to friends or family members can trigger this disorder. People will mentally re-experience the traumatic events and will try to avoid anything that will remind them of that event and will have increased anxiety.

People with acute stress disorder can have dissociative symptoms. They may feel numb, emotionally, or disconnected from themselves. They can feel that they are not real.

It is not known how many people deal with acute stress disorder.

The symptoms of acute stress disorder will be triggered by experiencing or being exposed to an incredibly traumatic event. The symptoms of acute stress disorder can be any of the following:

• Uncontrollable, intrusive, and recurring distressing memories of the event
• Recurring distressing dreams about the event
• Having flashbacks about the event
• Intense psychological or physical reactions when reminded about the event (example; when entering a similar location, hearing sounds that were heard during the event)
• An inability to experience positive emotions, like satisfaction, happiness, or loving feelings
• An altered sense of reality, such as feeling like time has slowed down or being in a daze
• Loss of memory for an important part of the event
• Attempts to avoid the distressing memories, feelings, or thoughts associated with the event
• Attempts to avoid external reminders, like people, conversations, places, activities situations, and objects that are associated with the event.
• Irritability or angry outbursts
• Disturbed sleep
• Hypervigilance to the possibility of danger
• Difficulty concentrating
• An exaggerated response to sudden movements, loud noises, or other stimuli

These symptoms can cause significant distress and significantly impair a person’s ability to function.

Therapists can help with acute stress disorder. Many people will recover from acute stress disorder when they are removed from the event and get appropriate support, understanding, and empathy for their distress. Some people will benefit from describing their experiences more than once. Friends and loved ones may be able to provide this support, and doctors or other healthcare professionals can be very helpful.

Doctors may prescribe medications that will help to relieve stress or to help with sleep. Antidepressants are usually not prescribed for acute stress disorder. Self-care is an important part of addressing acute stress disorder. Self-care will need three components, personal safety, physical health, and mindfulness. A therapist can help make sure that you are making the effort to do this self-care. For more information, call us today or book an appointment online. We are conveniently offering virtual appointments. We serve patients from Tolleson AZ, Glendale AZ, Peoria AZ, Arizona AZ, Avondale AZ, and Phoenix AZ.