Understanding acute stress disorder: Causes, symptoms and treatment

Acute stress reaction, also known as an acute stress disorder, is a psychological condition that can occur in response to experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.

However, at times, stress can become overwhelming, leading to severe mental and physical health consequences.

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Causes of acute stress disorder

ASD is a psychological condition that arises from experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.

Traumatic events can be anything that poses a threat to one's physical or emotional well-being, like natural disasters, accidents, acts of violence or sexual assault.

These events trigger the body's stress response, leading to an array of emotional and physical symptoms.

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Symptoms of acute stress disorder

ASD symptoms typically manifest within four weeks of the traumatic event. (Pic via Pexels/Brett Sayles)

Symptoms of ASD typically manifest within four weeks of the traumatic event and can persist for up to a month. The most common symptoms of ASD include intrusive thoughts, avoidance behavior and dissociative symptoms.

Intrusive thoughts: These are recurrent and distressing memories, dreams or flashbacks of the traumatic event. Individuals with ASD often experience intrusive thoughts that can disrupt their daily life.

Avoidance behavior: This symptom involves avoiding people, places or situations that remind the individual of the traumatic event. That can lead to social isolation and a reduced quality of life.

Dissociative symptoms: These include feeling disconnected from oneself, others or the surroundings. Individuals with ASD may experience dissociative symptoms like feeling numb, detached or unreal.

Other symptoms of ASD include sleep disturbances, anxiety, irritability, hypervigilance and exaggerated startle response.

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Treatment for acute stress disorder

The primary goal of treatment is to help manage symptoms, (Pic via Pexels/cottonbro studio)

Acute stress disorder is a treatable condition, and early intervention can significantly improve the outcome.

The primary goal of treatment is to help individuals manage their symptoms and regain their sense of control. Treatment approaches may include medication, psychotherapy or a combination of both.

Medications: Antidepressants, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are often prescribed to manage ASD symtoms. These medications can help reduce symptoms like anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances.

Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is an effective treatment for ASD.

It can help individuals develop coping strategies, manage their symptoms and process their traumatic experiences. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is another form of psychotherapy that involves recalling traumatic memories while performing eye movements or other types of bilateral stimulation.

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If you or someone you know experiences symptoms of acute stress disorder or has been exposed to a traumatic event, it's important to seek professional help from a mental health provider.