What Is Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)?
Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) is a short-term mental health condition that can develop after exposure to a traumatic event. It shares similarities with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) but occurs within a shorter timeframe.
What Are the Symptoms?
Common symptoms of ASD include:
- Experiencing, witnessing, or being confronted with one or more traumatic events.
- Recurring memories, dreams, or flashbacks related to the event.
- Intense or prolonged distress after exposure to traumatic reminders.
- Avoidance of thoughts, feelings, or physical reminders of the traumatic event.
- Difficulty sleeping, concentrating, or an exaggerated startle response.
What Are the Causes?
ASD is triggered by exposure to a traumatic event such as a car accident, natural disaster, violent assault, or any event that causes intense fear, horror, or feelings of helplessness.
It's important to remember that not everyone who experiences a traumatic event will develop ASD or PTSD. The development of these disorders is influenced by a complex interplay of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors.
Treatments
Effective treatments for ASD often involve cognitive behavioural therapies, including cognitive restructuring (learning to understand and change thought patterns that lead to problematic emotions or behaviours), and exposure therapy (gradually and repeatedly going over the traumatic event in a safe and controlled environment, to help reduce fear and anxiety). In some cases, medication may be used to help manage symptoms.
Self Help
Along with professional treatment, self-care strategies can be important for managing ASD. These may include :
- getting regular physical exercise
- ensuring adequate sleep
- maintaining a balanced diet
- staying connected with supportive people
- learning relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or mindfulness meditation.