Acute stress reaction
Acute stress reaction – is a short-term psychological response to an intensely stressful or traumatic event. It is the body’s immediate way of coping with a sudden or overwhelming situation that exceeds normal coping mechanisms.
Symptoms of acute stress reactions may include the following:
1. Psychological symptoms such as anxiety, low mood, irritability, emotional ups and downs, poor sleep, poor concentration, wanting to be alone.
2. Recurrent dreams or flashbacks, which can be intrusive and unpleasant.
3. Avoidance of anything that will trigger memories. This may mean avoiding people, conversations, or other situations, as they cause distress and anxiety.
4. Reckless or aggressive behavior that may be self-destructive.
5. Feeling emotionally numb and detached from others.
After a traumatic episode, people are better able to process the experience when they know that they and their loved ones are safe. Practical support includes assistance with housing, legal support, insurance, and other issues that need to be addressed but can be overwhelming. Friends and family can be especially helpful in reaching out and providing expressions of concern and comfort. Sending a nice note, making someone cookies, and offering up a smile may not only be a nice surprise for the recipient, but such actions can reduce the hopelessness and shame that tend to be part of the experience of trauma.
People who are distressed after a traumatic event can benefit from the support of loved ones and by joining support groups. In general, making time for sleep, eating a healthy diet, exercising, and doing enjoyable activities can be helpful.
John W. Barnhill. (2023). Self-care. Acute Stress Disorder (ASD). Retrieved from: https://shorturl.at/xgjRF .
Angela Ryan Lee, MD. (2024). Coping. What Is Acute Stress Disorder? Retrieved from: https://shorturl.at/uGtQf .
Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGP, Dr Suchita Shah, MRCGP. (2022). The symptoms of an acute stress reaction. Acute stress reaction. Retrieved from: https://shorturl.at/YKShY .