Acute PTSD: Understanding The Symptoms That Can Arise After Trauma

Trauma can upend our lives in an instant. Whether it’s a sudden accident, an attack, or a force of nature, major shocks can leave behind lasting impacts. In the aftermath of trauma, it can be common to experience a range of emotions: fear, confusion, helplessness, and more. Sometimes, the intensity can be hard to handle, which can be a sign of acute stress disorder (ASD), which may sometimes be mistakenly referred to as acute PTSD. If symptoms linger for more than a month, they may develop into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Both ASD and PTSD can often be treated with a variety of therapies.

Feeling overwhelmed after a traumatic event?

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What is acute PTSD?

According to studies, approximately 70.4% of individuals have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lives. This statistic can underscore the fact that trauma tends to be a widespread concern deserving of attention, compassion, and commitment to finding solutions.

Acute stress disorder can be seen as a short-term response to a dangerous or traumatic event. Anyone who has endured or witnessed an experience that sparks fear or horror can be at risk. In most cases, these acute symptoms fade naturally with time. However, if the symptoms persist for more than a month, they could point to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). You might look at acute stress disorder as the initial, overwhelming surge of emotions after a crisis, while PTSD can embody the longer-lasting effects that may arise if the experience isn't fully processed.

Just because you've lived through something traumatic doesn't automatically mean acute PTSD is guaranteed. Some people tend to be more vulnerable than others. Elements like the severity of the trauma, a person’s past experiences, and their internal coping mechanisms can influence their risk. 

Symptoms of acute stress disorder

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), provides the official guidelines for diagnosing acute stress disorder. The signs and symptoms fit into several broad categories:

• Intrusive reminders: Recurring flashbacks in which the trauma is vividly replayed, nightmares, and distress when something triggers a memory of the event
• Avoidance: Intense efforts to avoid anything connected to the trauma—places, activities, thoughts, feelings, or even people
• Shifts in mood and thinking: A sensation of being emotionally disconnected or distant, hopelessness, relentless negativity about oneself or the world, or struggling to recall certain details about the event
• Reactivity and hyperarousal: Irritability and a short fuse, reckless or self-destructive behavior, problems staying focused, sleep disturbances, a constant sense of being on high alert, or being easily startled
• Dissociative symptoms: A sense of being detached from your own body or emotions (depersonalization), or that the world around you isn't quite real (derealization)

For an ASD diagnosis, these symptoms must emerge within a month of the traumatic event and cause serious disruption to daily life. Symptoms must persist for more than two days but less than four weeks, at which point a diagnosis of PTSD may be considered.

Who is at risk?

In general, trauma doesn’t discriminate. While anyone can develop acute stress disorder, certain factors tend to increase its likelihood:

• Intensity of the trauma: The more severe the experience, the higher the risk of acute PTSD may be.
• History of trauma: Previous traumatic events can amplify a person's vulnerability.
• Genetic predisposition: Genetic factors often play a role in the development of acute stress disorder.
• Mental health background: Pre-existing anxiety disorders or other mental health conditions may make one more susceptible.
• Lack of support: Having limited emotional support or difficulty discussing the trauma can hinder the recovery process.
• Unhelpful coping strategies: Turning to excessive substance use or other unhealthy coping mechanisms can aggravate symptoms.

Understanding the risk factors for certain mental disorders can empower you to seek support and manage your symptoms effectively. Each individual's experience and resilience are unique, and professional help is available to navigate the path to recovery.

Getting the help you deserve

A mental health professional can offer support after a traumatic experience, providing the tools and understanding you need to heal. Seeking help can be a courageous step toward healing and reclaiming your life. 

Research shows that early intervention with a qualified mental health provider can reduce the likelihood of symptoms developing into PTSD. Here are a few potentially effective ways to treat acute stress disorder:

• Therapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), particularly trauma-focused varieties, can offer practical tools to process the events, challenge unhelpful thoughts, and build healthy coping skills. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is another therapy that may be helpful.
• Medication: In certain cases, short-term use of medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), might be recommended to relieve severe anxiety or sleep problems. These medications must be prescribed by a psychiatrist or doctor.
• Support groups: Connecting with others who have been through similar experiences can offer a unique sense of understanding and validation.

Your healing process is uniquely yours. What works for someone else might not work best for you. Identifying the resources and support that fit your needs can allow for more efficient and sustainable progress.

Moving forward after trauma

While seeking professional guidance can be a great first step, your own resilience and inner strength may play a vital role in healing from stressor-related disorders like ASD. By discovering coping mechanisms that resonate with you, you can actively participate in your recovery.

• Tend to the basics: Even the simplest acts of self-care can seem monumental when you're struggling. However, eating nourishing food, moving your body gently, and prioritizing sleep can lay the groundwork for resilience.
• Connect with others: Isolation often worsens the effects of trauma. Talking to trusted loved ones or finding a supportive community can help you overcome isolation and loneliness.
• Practice self-compassion: Being kind to yourself can reinforce positive emotions and make you more resilient to negative thoughts.
• Engage in joyful activities: You can reclaim moments of joy and purpose. Spending time in nature, expressing yourself creatively, or participating in activities that used to bring you pleasure may remind you that life can still be beautiful, even after trauma.
• Seek relaxation: Engaging in activities that promote relaxation can reduce stress. Yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises, and spending time outdoors may calm your nervous system and reduce hyperarousal symptoms.
• Identify and manage triggers: Knowing which situations, places, or people tend to stir up difficult emotions can help you develop a plan to manage them.
• Focus on the present: Focusing on the present moment and what you can control may help you manage overwhelming thoughts and feelings. Engaging in mindfulness techniques, practicing grounding exercises, or taking a few deep breaths can help you remain in the present moment.

Seeking help can be a courageous step toward healing and reclaiming your life. Trying to force yourself to "get over it" can do more harm than good. Acknowledging your emotions and allowing yourself to experience them can be part of the healing process. Comparing your journey to others may also be unhelpful. By focusing on your individual path and giving yourself permission to heal at your own pace, you can make progress toward a brighter future.

Feeling overwhelmed after a traumatic event?

Talk about it with a therapist online

If the thought of talking face-to-face about your trauma seems intimidating, online therapy can be a gentler starting point. Online platforms typically empower you to receive support from a licensed therapist without leaving the comfort of your home. You can choose to talk via video conference, phone call, or online chat, depending on what is most comfortable for you. 

Studies have shown that online therapy, including options delivered through video calls or specialized apps, can be just as helpful as traditional in-person therapy for those facing PTSD. Research shows that online therapy can be effective in reducing the severity of PTSD symptoms and usually has similar rates of engagement and comparable clinical outcomes when compared to in-person care.

Takeaway

The term “acute PTSD” may be another way to refer to acute stress disorder (ASD), which generally refers to symptoms similar to those of PTSD that occur in the month following a traumatic experience. Acute stress disorder often involves symptoms like avoidance of triggers, flashbacks, and shifts in thinking and mood. If these symptoms persist for more than a month, they may indicate the presence of post-traumatic stress disorder.

While acute stress disorder can seem overwhelming, you can take charge of your recovery and learn how to cope in healthy ways. Online therapy can offer a low-pressure starting point for getting the help you deserve. It may be even more effective when paired with self-care strategies like caring for your physical health and spending time with loved ones. By recognizing your strength and embracing the possibility of healing, you can move forward and create a life filled with joy and purpose.