Acute Stress Reaction
Acute Stress Reaction is a transient psychological, emotional, and physiological response to an exceptionally threatening or traumatic event. It occurs immediately after exposure to a severe stressor and is characterized by symptoms such as anxiety, confusion, emotional numbness, disorientation, impaired attention, and autonomic signs of arousal. The reaction usually subsides within hours or a few days as the individual adapts to the stressful situation.
Acute stress reaction may occur after natural disasters, military combat, serious accidents, violent assaults, or other traumatic events.
Common symptoms include fear, panic, emotional detachment, reduced awareness of surroundings, increased heart rate, sweating, and difficulties with concentration and decision-making.
According to ICD-11, acute stress reaction is considered a normal response to an exceptional stressor rather than a mental disorder. However, persistent symptoms may indicate the development of conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or adjustment disorder.
O'Donnell, M. L., Creamer, M., & Pattison, P. (2004). Posttraumatic stress disorder and depression following trauma: Understanding comorbidity. American Journal of Psychiatry, 161(8), 1390–1396. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.161.8.1390.
World Health Organization. (2025). ICD-11 for mortality and morbidity statistics: QE84 Acute stress reaction. https://icd.who.int/browse/2025-01/mms/en#505909942
Fanai, M., & Khan, M. A. B. (2023). Acute stress disorder. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560815/.