Acute Stress Disorder - Types Of Anxiety Disorders: Mental Health

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Acute stress disorder

The experience: For days after being in a car accident in which a friend nearly died, the driver, 70, is extremely jumpy and anxious. He jumps when he hears a siren or a honking horn. He feels as if he's sleepwalking through conversations with family members. He feels guilty that he wasn't harmed and is able to be with his family and friends, resuming his "normal" life. He dreams of the events leading up to the collision, but in these dreams he swerves, narrowly avoiding the other car. After about three weeks, as his friend's condition improves, the driver also begins to feel better. He slowly comes to terms with what happened. Images of the accident, while still present, become less disturbing and intrusive. He isn't as easily startled, he's sleeping better, and he feels a renewed connection to the people around him. Months later, when he describes the experience to his family doctor during a routine exam, the doctor says that he probably had acute stress disorder.

Symptoms: Symptoms are similar to those of post-traumatic stress disorder, but of shorter duration, lasting at least two days but less than a month after a traumatic event.

Cause: Acute stress disorder follows directly from a traumatic or stressful event.

Prevalence: Studies show that 14%–33% of people who have been exposed to a severe trauma experience acute stress disorder.

Who's at risk: While the condition can develop in anyone who has had an extremely stressful experience, other factors heighten the risk, including a mental disorder, lack of supportive friendships, and emotional deprivation during childhood.

Effective treatments: Psychotherapy that involves discussing the experience can help decrease the symptoms. Medication, including benzodiazepines, is sometimes prescribed for people who have trouble sleeping, severe anxiety, or both. But because acute stress disorder, by its very nature, is short-lived, many people either do not need psychotherapy or find that their symptoms diminish before they seek help. (Also, see "Tips for a better night's sleep.")

Last updated:	September 05, 2008