What signs or symptoms associated with acute stress reactions require immediate intervention?

Traumatic events can significantly impact a person’s psychological, emotional, and physical wellbeing, whether the trauma is experienced firsthand or witnessed. Trauma can also lead to mental health disorders, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Acute Stress Disorder (ASD).

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Risk factors
Complications
What are the symptoms of an acute stress reaction?
What are 3 examples of things that could cause acute stress?
What are some signs and symptoms that a coworker may be experiencing delayed stress reaction?
What is a common response during times of acute stress?

PTSD and ASD share many symptoms, and both require early intervention and treatment for positive recovery outcomes. But there are key distinctions between them that result in different treatment methods. Here’s an overview on how ASD and PTSD compare:

Symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder

ASD symptoms develop in the immediate aftermath of trauma and last anywhere from days to a month after the event. Symptoms of ASD include:

Severe anxiety
Numbed emotions
Flashbacks
Nightmares
Difficulty sleeping
Difficulty concentrating
Withdrawal from social activities
Avoidance of people, places, or experiences associated with the trauma

Another major symptom of ASD is dissociation and dissociative amnesia. Dissociation involves a sense of detaching from one’s self from reality, while dissociative amnesia refers to difficulty remembering certain details about the traumatic event as a self-protection mechanism.

Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Symptoms of PTSD develop later than symptoms of ASD. While ASD is often a precursor to PTSD, that’s not always the case. PTSD symptoms can take months or years to develop, varying greatly in terms of severity. Symptoms of PTSD include:

Intrusive memories, dreams, or flashbacks that cause a strong negative reaction
Overall negative mood, or a general feeling of being on edge
Loss of interest in socialization, hobbies, and other activities
Avoidance of people, places, or experiences associated with the trauma
Difficulty sleeping and concentrating
Heightened alertness to danger
Risky or destructive behavior

Acute Stress Disorder vs. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

The most significant difference between ASD and PTSD is the onset and duration of symptoms. The effects of ASD present immediately and last up to a month, while PTSD symptoms present slower and last longer, up to several years if not treated. Also, while ASD and PTSD share many symptoms, each is typically characterized by distinctive symptoms:

People with ASD experience dissociative symptoms
People with PTSD re-experience the trauma and suffer more severe changes in mood and cognition

There are also differences in treatment:

ASD is treated with short-term psychotherapy and antidepressant medications
PTSD requires long-term psychotherapy and medication

The importance of treatment for ASD and PTSD

Trauma can have severe effects on a person’s ability to function and live a healthy, happy life. Neglecting symptoms of ASD and PTSD can worsen symptoms and potentially lead to depression and substance abuse. The sooner a person receives treatment after a traumatic event, the better the chance of a smooth recovery. Seeking treatment with trained, compassionate medical professionals won’t eliminate symptoms overnight, but it will help patients discover ways to minimize reactions to triggers and develop healthy coping skills for managing distress.

Trauma treatment in San Diego

If you or a loved one is struggling with symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Alvarado Parkway Institute can help you on your journey to recovery. Our experienced and dedicated staff will develop a customized treatment plan to help you achieve a higher quality of life, so don’t wait to set up a consultation. Fill out our contact form or call (619) 667-6125 to get started today.

Overview

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

Most people who go through traumatic events may have temporary difficulty adjusting and coping, but with time and good self-care, they usually get better. If the symptoms get worse, last for months or even years, and interfere with your day-to-day functioning, you may have PTSD.

Getting effective treatment after PTSD symptoms develop can be critical to reduce symptoms and improve function.

Symptoms

Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms may start within one month of a traumatic event, but sometimes symptoms may not appear until years after the event. These symptoms cause significant problems in social or work situations and in relationships. They can also interfere with your ability to go about your normal daily tasks.

PTSD symptoms are generally grouped into four types: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions. Symptoms can vary over time or vary from person to person.

Intrusive memories

Symptoms of intrusive memories may include:

Recurrent, unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event
Reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again (flashbacks)
Upsetting dreams or nightmares about the traumatic event
Severe emotional distress or physical reactions to something that reminds you of the traumatic event

Avoidance

Symptoms of avoidance may include:

Trying to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event
Avoiding places, activities or people that remind you of the traumatic event

Negative changes in thinking and mood

Symptoms of negative changes in thinking and mood may include:

Negative thoughts about yourself, other people or the world
Hopelessness about the future
Memory problems, including not remembering important aspects of the traumatic event
Difficulty maintaining close relationships
Feeling detached from family and friends
Lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed
Difficulty experiencing positive emotions
Feeling emotionally numb

Changes in physical and emotional reactions

Symptoms of changes in physical and emotional reactions (also called arousal symptoms) may include:

Being easily startled or frightened
Always being on guard for danger
Self-destructive behavior, such as drinking too much or driving too fast
Trouble sleeping
Trouble concentrating
Irritability, angry outbursts or aggressive behavior
Overwhelming guilt or shame

For children 6 years old and younger, signs and symptoms may also include:

Re-enacting the traumatic event or aspects of the traumatic event through play
Frightening dreams that may or may not include aspects of the traumatic event

Intensity of symptoms

PTSD symptoms can vary in intensity over time. You may have more PTSD symptoms when you're stressed in general, or when you come across reminders of what you went through. For example, you may hear a car backfire and relive combat experiences. Or you may see a report on the news about a sexual assault and feel overcome by memories of your own assault.

When to see a doctor

If you have disturbing thoughts and feelings about a traumatic event for more than a month, if they're severe, or if you feel you're having trouble getting your life back under control, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional. Getting treatment as soon as possible can help prevent PTSD symptoms from getting worse.

If you have suicidal thoughts

If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts, get help right away through one or more of these resources:

Reach out to a close friend or loved one.
Contact a minister, a spiritual leader or someone in your faith community.
Call a suicide hotline number — in the United States, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) to reach a trained counselor. Use that same number and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.
Make an appointment with your doctor or a mental health professional.

When to get emergency help

If you think you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

If you know someone who's in danger of attempting suicide or has made a suicide attempt, make sure someone stays with that person to keep him or her safe. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Or, if you can do so safely, take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room.

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Causes

You can develop post-traumatic stress disorder when you go through, see or learn about an event involving actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violation.

Doctors aren't sure why some people get PTSD. As with most mental health problems, PTSD is probably caused by a complex mix of:

Stressful experiences, including the amount and severity of trauma you've gone through in your life
Inherited mental health risks, such as a family history of anxiety and depression
Inherited features of your personality — often called your temperament
The way your brain regulates the chemicals and hormones your body releases in response to stress

Risk factors

People of all ages can have post-traumatic stress disorder. However, some factors may make you more likely to develop PTSD after a traumatic event, such as:

Experiencing intense or long-lasting trauma
Having experienced other trauma earlier in life, such as childhood abuse
Having a job that increases your risk of being exposed to traumatic events, such as military personnel and first responders
Having other mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression
Having problems with substance misuse, such as excess drinking or drug use
Lacking a good support system of family and friends
Having blood relatives with mental health problems, including anxiety or depression

Kinds of traumatic events

The most common events leading to the development of PTSD include:

Combat exposure
Childhood physical abuse
Sexual violence
Physical assault
Being threatened with a weapon
An accident

Many other traumatic events also can lead to PTSD, such as fire, natural disaster, mugging, robbery, plane crash, torture, kidnapping, life-threatening medical diagnosis, terrorist attack, and other extreme or life-threatening events.

Complications

Post-traumatic stress disorder can disrupt your whole life ― your job, your relationships, your health and your enjoyment of everyday activities.

Having PTSD may also increase your risk of other mental health problems, such as:

Depression and anxiety
Issues with drugs or alcohol use
Eating disorders
Suicidal thoughts and actions

Prevention

After surviving a traumatic event, many people have PTSD-like symptoms at first, such as being unable to stop thinking about what's happened. Fear, anxiety, anger, depression, guilt — all are common reactions to trauma. However, the majority of people exposed to trauma do not develop long-term post-traumatic stress disorder.

Getting timely help and support may prevent normal stress reactions from getting worse and developing into PTSD. This may mean turning to family and friends who will listen and offer comfort. It may mean seeking out a mental health professional for a brief course of therapy. Some people may also find it helpful to turn to their faith community.

Support from others also may help prevent you from turning to unhealthy coping methods, such as misuse of alcohol or drugs.

What are the symptoms of an acute stress reaction?

Psychological symptoms of acute stress disorder include: Arousal: Hypervigilance, an inability to focus, sleep disturbances, irritable mood and angry outbursts..

Palpitations, i.e. a pounding heart..

Difficulty breathing..

Chest pain..

Headache..

Stomach pain..

Nausea..

Sweating..

What are 3 examples of things that could cause acute stress?

What causes acute stress disorder?.

death..

threat of death to oneself or others..

threat of serious injury to oneself or others..

threat to the physical integrity of oneself or others..

What are some signs and symptoms that a coworker may be experiencing delayed stress reaction?

Some people experience these reactions immediately at the scene, while for others symptoms may occur weeks or months later..

Confusion..

Disorientation..

Heightened or lowered alertness..

Poor concentration..

Poor problem solving..

Difficulty identifying familiar objects or people..

Memory problems..

Nightmares..

What is a common response during times of acute stress?

During an acute stress response, the autonomic nervous system is activated and the body experiences increased levels of cortisol, adrenaline and other hormones that produce an increased heart rate, quickened breathing rate, and higher blood pressure.