Acute stress disorder is a relatively new diagnosis for people who experience a traumatic event. It is closely related to PTSD and shares many similar symptoms. However, there are some key differences between the two mental health disorders. Learning more about acute stress disorder can be beneficial when people have experienced trauma and want to seek professional help.
What Is Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)?
Acute stress disorder is a mental health disorder that usually begins within a few days but could take up to a month to develop after being exposed to trauma. In the days or weeks following a traumatic event, a person can develop extreme anxiety. If they seek treatment, it can then be diagnosed by a healthcare professional as ASD. People diagnosed with ASD share many similar symptoms to those with PTSD.
How Common Is Acute Stress Disorder?
The prevalence of ASD is difficult to gauge since it shares many similar symptoms with PTSD. Some people can be misdiagnosed as having PTSD when they have ASD. The prevalence rates have also varied across research studies and different types of traumatic experiences. The average of these studies found that approximately 19% of people exposed to trauma will develop ASD.
However, the rates varied based on the type of traumatic experience as follows:
- Motor vehicle accidents: 13-21%
- Traumatic brain injury: 14%
- Physical assault: 24%
- Sexual assault: 59%
What’s the Difference Between Acute Stress Disorder and PTSD?
The primary difference between acute stress disorder and PTSD is how the mental health disorder develops and its duration. ASD symptoms usually start to appear within a few days up to a month after the traumatic event. With PTSD, symptoms could develop several months or even years after the traumatic events.
ASD can last between a few days and a few months once symptoms develop. For most people, ASD is only a temporary mental health condition that is fully curable with the proper treatment. Some people find a few counseling sessions is sufficient for them to resolve their trauma. Other people may require ongoing treatment for a few months. In rare cases, ASD can develop into PTSD.
With PTSD, due to its delayed symptom development, it require a longer treatment period. PTSD symptoms usually persist for at least six months and could last anywhere from one to three years for moderate cases. For severe or chronic PTSD, treatment could be needed for three years or longer. Some people may even require ongoing treatment and support for the rest of their lives.
Symptoms and Causes
There are several symptoms and causes of acute stress disorder that are triggered after experiencing a traumatic event.
What Are the Symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder?
Some of the more common symptoms of acute stress disorder that develop within a few days up to a month after the traumatic event include:
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Irritability
- Sleep disturbance
- Anxiety
- Extreme fear
- Feeling helpless
- Detachment
- Numbness
- Avoidance of people, places, or things related to the traumatic event
- Being on guard/hypervigilant
What Causes Acute Stress Disorder?
ASD is caused by exposure to a traumatic event, which could include the following:
- The death of a loved one
- Being physically assaulted
- Being sexually assaulted
- Experiencing severe injuries
- Being in a car accident
- A natural disaster
- Receiving a terminal illness diagnosis
- Experiencing a traumatic brain injury
- Witnessing a traumatic event where someone is severely injured or killed
What Are the Risk Factors for Acute Stress Disorder?
In addition to being exposed to a traumatic event, ASD could be caused by biological and psychological factors as well. When a person has a pre-existing mental health disorder, such as depression or anxiety, they can be more vulnerable to developing ASD. People with a genetic predisposition and a family history of mental health disorders can also be at risk of developing ASD. Other risk factors could include:
- Prior untreated/unresolved trauma
- Constant worry
- Avoidant/social anxiety lifestyle
- Lack of a strong support system
- Being female
- Being 40 years or younger
What Is the Treatment for Acute Stress Disorder?
The treatment for ASD is similar to PTSD treatment. It involves using comprehensive, evidence-based and holistic therapeutic modalities, including:
- Psychotherapy (talk therapy)
- Trauma therapy
- CBT
- DBT
- Mindfulness/Meditation
- Medications
- Group therapy
The types of therapies and treatments used will vary from person to person. Care plans must be personalized to fit the individual’s unique needs and severity of their ASD.
Can Acute Stress Disorder Be Prevented?
There is no way to ensure that individuals are never exposed to a traumatic event. So, there is no way to completely prevent ASD. However, there are several things people can do if they ever experience trauma to reduce the likelihood of developing ASD and possibly PTSD, including:
- Seeking mental health treatment after experiencing a traumatic event, even when you are not experiencing any symptoms of ASD.
- Being willing to openly talk about what occurred with family, friends, or in a group support setting.
- Working with a mental health professional to develop effective coping skills should symptoms develop
- Obtaining preparation training and counseling for high-risk jobs, such as fire, police, healthcare, and military jobs
Contact Montare Behavioural Health to Treat Acute Stress Disorder
If you have experienced a traumatic event or are already experiencing ASD symptoms, it is important to seek mental health treatment. The sooner you start treatment, the better it will be for your mental well-being. At Montare Behavioral Health, we provide personalized, comprehensive ASD care at our treatment centers in California and Arizona. Contact us today to take the first steps of regaining control over your life and overcoming ASD.
Published: 3/18/2025
