Acute Stress Reaction

• What is an acute stress reaction?

  Immediate psychological response to a traumatic event

  Occurs within the first 4 weeks after a person has been exposed to a traumatic event
• How is acute stress reaction different to PTSD?

  Acute stress reaction -> within 4 weeks of traumatic event

  PTSD -> symptoms present for more than 4 weeks
• What are the signs & symptoms of acute stress reaction?

  Intrusive thoughts (flashbacks, nightmares)

  Dissociation ('being in a daze', time slowing)

  Negative mood

  Avoidance

  Arousal (hypervigilance, sleep disturbance)

  Anxious physical symptoms
• What is the treatment & management of acute stress reaction?

  Trauma-focused CBT (1st line)

  Benzodiazepines (for acute symptoms (agitation, sleep disturbance), should only we used with caution due to addictive potential & concerns)
• What is the ICD-11 Diagnostic Criteria for acute stress reaction?

  • Exposure to an event or situation (either short- or long-lasting) of an extremely threatening/horrific nature.
  • The development of a response to the stressor that is considered to be normal given the severity of the stressor.
  • Symptoms typically appear within hours to days following the stressful event, and usually begin to subside within a few days after the event or following removal from the threatening situation, when this is possible
• What are the DDx of acute stress reaction?

  GAD

  PTSD

  Social anxiety disorder

  Panic disorder

  OCD