Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) is a mental health condition that is commonly experienced in the aftermath of a traumatic event. People who suffer from ASD often exhibit symptoms that are intense, unpleasant and disrupt their daily functioning.
Symptoms of ASD typically manifest within a relatively short timeframe of the traumatic event, usually within a month. These symptoms can manifest in various ways, such as flashbacks, emotional numbness and heightened levels of anxiety. It is important for people to be able to recognize these symptoms early on in order to seek appropriate treatment and support.
Early recognition of ASD symptoms is crucial as it can help prevent the progression to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). While both ASD and PTSD share similarities in terms of symptoms and triggers, they are distinct conditions that require different approaches to treatment and management. By addressing ASD early on, people can potentially reduce the risk of developing chronic PTSD symptoms in the long term.
What is Acute Stress Disorder?
Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) is a mental health condition. It’s triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. This could be a car accident, natural disaster or violent assault.
The person may feel a sense of horror, helplessness or intense fear. These feelings can lead to symptoms that disrupt daily life.
Symptoms of ASD can include:
- Flashbacks to the traumatic event
- Difficulty sleeping or nightmares
- Emotional numbness or detachment
- Anxiety and increased heart rate
- Avoidance of reminders of the event
ASD typically occurs within a month of the traumatic event. However, the duration of symptoms can vary. Some people may experience symptoms for just a few days, while others may struggle for several weeks.
It’s important to note that ASD is different from PTSD. While both conditions can follow a traumatic event, they have different diagnostic criteria and durations of symptoms. We’ll explore these differences in more detail later in this guide.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Acute Stress Disorder
The symptoms of ASD can be quite varied. They often involve re-experiencing the traumatic event in some way. This could be through intrusive thoughts, nightmares or flashbacks.
Other symptoms can include emotional numbness or detachment. The person may feel a sense of unreality, as if they are in a dream. They may also avoid reminders of the traumatic event. These could be places, people or activities that bring back memories of the trauma.
Physical symptoms can also occur. These can include difficulty sleeping, increased heart rate and other signs of anxiety. It’s important to note that these symptoms can be quite distressing. They can interfere with the person’s daily life and relationships.
To diagnose ASD, a mental health professional will typically conduct a thorough assessment. This will involve asking about the person’s symptoms, the traumatic event and how these are affecting their life.
Acute stress disorder criteria
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) provides criteria for diagnosing ASD. The person must have been exposed to a traumatic event. This could be through direct experience, witnessing the event or learning about it happening to a close family member or friend.
Following the event, the person must experience nine or more of the specified symptoms. These symptoms can be from any of the five categories: intrusion, negative mood, dissociation, avoidance and arousal. The symptoms must occur within a month of the traumatic event.
The symptoms must also cause significant distress or impairment. This could be in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning. The symptoms cannot be due to medication, substance use or another medical condition.
Finally, the symptoms must not meet the criteria for PTSD. This is because the symptoms of ASD must occur within a month of the traumatic event. If the symptoms persist for longer than a month, a diagnosis of PTSD may be more appropriate.
ASD vs PTSD
ASD and PTSD are both responses to traumatic events. However, there are key differences between the two.
The main difference lies in the duration of symptoms. In ASD, symptoms occur within a month of the traumatic event. If these symptoms persist for longer than a month, a diagnosis of PTSD may be considered.
- ASD: Symptoms occur within a month of the traumatic event.
- PTSD: Symptoms persist for longer than a month.
Another difference is the symptom profile. While both disorders involve re-experiencing the trauma, avoidance behaviors and increased arousal, ASD also includes dissociative symptoms. These can include a sense of unreality, amnesia or altered time perception.
Understanding these differences is crucial. It helps ensure that people receive the appropriate diagnosis and treatment. It also highlights the importance of early intervention in preventing the progression from ASD to PTSD.
Treatment Options for Acute Stress Disorder
There are several treatment options available for ASD. The choice of treatment depends on the person’s symptoms, preferences and overall health.
One of the most effective treatments is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This form of therapy helps people understand and change thought patterns that lead to harmful behaviors or emotional distress.
Medication can also be used to manage symptoms. Antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications and sleep aids can all be beneficial. However, medication should always be used under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
In addition to CBT and medication, other therapies can be beneficial. These include exposure therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and group therapy.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a type of psychotherapy. It helps people understand and change thought patterns that lead to harmful behaviors or emotional distress.
CBT is often the first line of treatment for ASD. It can help people manage their symptoms and prevent the progression to PTSD.
Medication and other therapies
Medication can be used to manage symptoms of ASD. This can include antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications and sleep aids.
Other therapies can also be beneficial. These include exposure therapy, EMDR and group therapy. The choice of therapy will depend on the person’s symptoms and preferences.
Supporting Someone with Acute Stress Disorder
Supporting someone with ASD can be challenging. However, understanding the disorder and its symptoms can help.
Firstly, it’s important to encourage the person to seek professional help. A healthcare provider can provide a diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment options.
Secondly, provide emotional support. Listen to their experiences and feelings without judgment. This can help them feel understood and less alone.
Lastly, encourage self-care. This can include regular exercise, a healthy diet and adequate sleep. These can all help manage symptoms and promote recovery.
Understanding ASD is the first step towards managing it effectively. With the right knowledge, support and treatment, recovery is possible.
Wekiva Springs provides acute and residential programs to help those suffering from a mental health disorder, such as ASD. Our programs span a variety of types, from inpatient programs to telehealth, in order to ensure that we can meet your needs. To learn more about our programs, visit our services page or call us today at 904-295-1995.
About Wekiva Springs Hospital
Wekiva Springs Hospital is a welcoming facility that provides inpatient and outpatient behavioral health and substance abuse treatment. Located in Jacksonville, FL, we offer services to adult and senior adults.
Our beautiful campus is specifically designed to facilitate healing and recovery for each of our patients. We pride ourselves on accommodating the severity of each patient’s condition and servicing each individual need. Some of our services include our mental health, substance abuse, outpatient group therapy programs and more.
To schedule a no-cost assessment or for more information, please call 904-295-1995
