Acute Stress Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment

According to the World Health Organization [1], 70% of people globally will experience trauma in their lifetime. Of these people, some develop acute stress disorder as a response. Acute stress disorder (ASD) typically resolves itself within a month, but if left untreated, it may develop into more serious complications, such as PTSD or other mental disorders and illnesses. 

Read on to stay informed on what acute stress disorder is, what causes it, and how to manage it. 

What Is Acute Stress Disorder? 

Acute stress disorder, also known as ASD, is a short-term disorder that happens within one month of an individual experiencing a traumatic event. If someone is experiencing acute stress disorder, they may exhibit stress responses such as heightened anxiety, feeling detached from their body, depersonalization, or avoidance of reminders of the trauma.  

Traumatic Events That May Lead to an Acute Stress Reaction

Trauma is subjective. What may lead to trauma and stress responses in one person might not elicit the same response in a different person. However, the following examples are known traumatic events that often lead to acute stress disorder and other trauma symptoms: 

• Natural disasters, such as a fire or flood
• Sexual assault 
• Physical assault and exposure to violence
• Witnessing bodily harm or death
• The loss of a loved one
• Serious accidents (such as a car accident)
• War

Trauma can happen at any stage of life, from early childhood well into adulthood; because of this, acute stress disorder can also develop at any age. 

What Is the Difference Between Acute Stress Disorder and PTSD?

Acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder often have overlapping symptoms, such as detachment, anxiety, and intense sadness. However, although seemingly similar on the surface, their difference is in the length of the symptoms. ASD typically develops within a couple of days following the traumatic incident and may last up to one month following it. If stress reactions continue occurring for longer than four weeks, it may be an indication of post-traumatic stress disorder. Early intervention is key as treating acute stress disorder promptly can reduce the risk of progression into PTSD and support faster recovery.

Adjustment Disorder vs. Acute Stress Disorder

Unlike acute stress disorder, adjustment disorder happens because of a stressful incident and not trauma. Adjustment disorder occurs when someone has an emotional or behavioral response to a stressful event that is significantly more intense than what would typically be expected for that type of situation.

For example, losing a job is considered less traumatic than surviving a mass shooting, but individuals with an adjustment disorder may react similarly to losing a job as those who survived a mass shooting. 

What Is Acute Distress?

Acute distress is the same as acute stress and refers to a short-lived sympathetic response to any traumatic incident [2]. Acute distress differs from chronic distress in both duration and impact. While chronic distress is a long-term response to ongoing stressors, acute distress is short-term but can still cause significant, though temporary, impairment.

How Common Is Acute Stress?

Various studies indicate that the prevalence of acute stress following a trauma can be up to 33% [4]. However, acute stress disorder development depends on the nature of the trauma as well. For instance, survivors of accidents or natural disasters tend to show lower rates of acute stress disorder compared to those who are victims of assault.

The timeline for acute stress disorder also plays a significant role in symptom onset:

• Within 1 week: 24.0% to 24.6% develop symptoms in the first week post-trauma.
• Within 1–2 weeks: 11.7% to 40.6% report symptom onset during the second week [5].

Acute Stress Disorder Symptoms & Causes

Individuals with Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) may exhibit different psychological and behavioral symptoms.

Acute Stress Symptoms

Acute stress symptoms include: 

• Recurring flashbacks, distressing memories, or nightmares of the event.
• Intense psychological or physical distress when reminded of the trauma.
• Find it difficult to experience positive emotions, like happiness or love.
• Persistent negative mood, including feelings of guilt or shame.
• Dissociative symptoms such as detachment, derealization, or depersonalization.
• An altered sense of reality and perception of time. 
• Memory loss.
• Disturbed sleep, such as too much or inability to fall asleep. 
• Increased irritability or angry outbursts
• Hypervigilance.
• Difficulty with cognition, such as concentrating or thinking. 
• A triggered startle reflex. 

Causes of Acute Stress Disorder

Although ASD develops as a response to a traumatic event, scientists and professionals still do not know exactly why it develops and why some people experience it while others don’t. One theory involves the fear conditioning concept, in which your brain associates certain stimuli with a traumatic event. For example, if you are in a car accident on a winding road, you might develop an aversion to winding roads.  Or in other cases, physical trauma like a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) can contribute to the development of acute stress symptoms, complicating emotional and cognitive recovery.

Risk Factors for Acute Stress Disorder

ASD risk factors include [3]:

• Prior history of mental health conditions, or prior trauma
• Avoidant coping style
• A minimal or nonexistent support system
• Being assigned female at birth
• Lack of education
• Personality disorders
• Genetics

Acute Stress Disorder Diagnosis & Treatment

Acute stress disorder can affect an individual’s daily life, which is why proper diagnosis and treatment is essential. 

How Is Acute Stress Disorder Diagnosed?

Your primary care physician or mental health provider can diagnose ASD by asking you questions and details about the symptoms you are experiencing and about the traumatic event. Their evaluation should be based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which outlines specific symptom patterns and timeframes for acute stress disorder. Clinicians may also use standardized screening tools, such as the Acute Stress Disorder Scale (ASDS), to help assess the severity of symptoms and confirm the diagnosis. Your provider may refer you to a therapist or psychologist for a second opinion, and you may undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine your specific needs.

Treatments for Acute Stress Symptoms

Treatments for ASD are primarily psychotherapy in the form of CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy)[6]. CBT can help prevent ASD from developing into PTSD and focuses on increasing the individual’s knowledge of trauma psychology, symptom management, and the ability to identify cognitive distortions. Exposure therapy [7] has also proved helpful for treating acute stress symptoms. 

There is no strong evidence that shows medication is an effective treatment for ASD, but certain medications used for PTSD—such as SRIs, SGAs, and beta-blockers—could be helpful for ASD as well.  

Prevention of Acute Stress Reaction & Disorder

Traumatic events cannot always be prevented. However, taking certain measures after being the victim or being exposed to trauma may help mitigate the intensity of ASD. 

• Personal Safety Following Trauma. After experiencing a traumatic event, experiencing a sense of safety and normalcy is essential. With the support of trained professionals, such as a therapist, and loved ones like friends and family, the severity of ASD symptoms might lessen.
• Physical Health. After trauma, it is important to get back to a healthy routine as soon as you can. Prioritize your diet, sleep, and exercise. Try different mindfulness exercises, like meditation, and avoid the use of substances like alcohol or drugs. 
• Emotional Support & Healthcare. Follow up with your primary care physician and your therapist following a traumatic event in order to get the emotional support and treatment you need. 

Prognosis & Outlook of Acute Stress Disorder

Because ASD is a short-term condition, individuals are typically able to return to a sense of normalcy after about a month following the traumatic instances. However, if left untreated, the potential for complications arises. These complications include PTSD, depression, panic disorder, substance use disorder, or suicidal ideation and behaviors.

Get Help for Acute Stress Disorder at Connections

Acute stress disorder can present with intense symptoms and may lead to severe consequences, such as suicidal thoughts and significant difficulties in daily functioning. Effective treatment is crucial to address these challenges. It is important to approach treatment for acute stress disorder with a comprehensive and empathetic strategy that focuses on the individual as a whole rather than just their symptoms.

At Connections, we have long been committed to supporting individuals struggling with acute stress disorder. Our dedication to your well-being and recovery drives us to provide the following services:

• Around-the-clock supervision
• Personalized care plans
• Medication management
• Safe and comfortable living arrangements
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Dialectical behavioral therapy
• Motivational interviewing

Our evidence-based approaches are designed to address acute stress disorder and related mental health issues, including:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Post traumatic stress disorder
• Mood disorders
• Eating disorders
• Suicidal thoughts

At Connections, compassion is at the heart of our care. Experience the difference that a premier mental health facility can make on your path to recovery.

Contact us at 844-759-0999 to learn more about the resources and support available.

Sources

[1] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/post-traumatic-stress-disorder#:~:text=Around%2070%25%20of%20people%20globally,in%20their%20lives%20(2)

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK594231/

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560815/

[4] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24755-acute-stress-disorder

[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560815/

[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560815/

[7] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24755-acute-stress-disorder