Home Conditions Acute Stress Disorder: Information, Symptoms, Treatment and More

Acute Stress Disorder: Information, Symptoms, Treatment and More

Modified date: May 8, 2025

Acute Stress Disorder is a mental health condition that is characterised by a distressed reaction in response to an traumatic event or experience.

Acute Stress Disorder involves an individual being exposed to a traumatic event – which will then lead to symptoms such as re-experiencing the event through flashbacks or nightmares, avoidance, dissociation and psychological symptoms.

Acute Stress Disorder is very similar to Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), however the key difference is that Acute Stress Disorder only lasts for one month maximum. If an individual continues to suffer from symptoms after a month, they will be diagnosed with PTSD.

As such, Acute Stress Disorder is often seen as the prodromal phase of PTSD. However, Acute Stress Disorder is a condition in its own right, and causes significant impairment. Treatment is available, and is important to access.

What are the symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder?

The symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder tend to fall into one of four categories. The symptoms will normally appear soon after a traumatic event.

The symptoms will typically last between a few days and four weeks. If the symptoms last longer than this, PTSD will be diagnosed instead.

Symptoms normally involve re-experiencing, avoiding, dissociation or are psychological.

Re-Experiencing:

Flashbacks
Nightmares
Witnessing distressing images
Disturbed thoughts
Physical feelings of pain or sickness
Ruminating over what might have been

Avoidance:

Avoiding certain people that remind an individual of the traumatic event
Avoiding certain places that remind an individual of the traumatic event
Changing the subject if a similar topic is discussed
Isolating themselves from others, trouble trusting them
Withdrawing from normal day-to-day activities

Dissociation:

Numbness
Detaching from one’s body
Forgetting elements of the experience
Feeling they are going through a dream
Lack of awareness of surroundings

Psychological:

Anger
Poor concentration
Insomnia
Irritability
Anxiety

Feelings of guilt and shame are common with Acute Stress Disorder. In the days following a traumatic event, someone with PTSD may engage in substance abuse. Self-harm and suicidal ideation are also commonplace.

It is possible that someone with Acute Stress Disorder may be experiencing another mental health condition at the same time. They will also be vulnerable to developing future conditions.

If a reaction to an event seems abnormal or excessive, Adjustment Disorder may be a more applicable condition.

What are the causes of Acute Stress Disorder?

Unlike many mental health conditions, the cause of Acute Stress Disorder is known. It can be traced to a traumatic event. This is relevant in terms of experiencing, or witnessing the event. In any case, the individual reacts in a distressed way.

Examples of traumatic events include a road accident, extreme violence, natural disaster, severe injury, death of a family member, or being the victim of an assault or abuse. However, many possible events can cause an individual to react in an acutely stressed way.

We have an article that explores what counts as a “traumatic event” for mental health condition purposes.

However, whilst the cause of Acute Stress Disorder is known, it isn’t known why some people respond to trauma without any distress, while others do.

Some people will recover from Acute Stress Disorder, while others will go on to develop PTSD. Those who have had past mental health problems are more at risk of developing a further condition. Equally, a family history of mental illness is an additional risk factor.

Diagnosis of Acute Stress Disorder

It is important for someone to visit their doctor, or see a mental health professional if they are exhibiting the signs of Acute Stress Disorder.

Sometimes, it will be up to a close friend or family member to instigate treatment, as many people with Acute Stress Disorder will be in a state of shock.

If an individual with Acute Stress Disorder doesn’t seek help, there is a high chance that their condition will turn into PTSD.

At an appointment, a doctor will discuss the symptoms displayed by the person, and ask questions about the traumatic event (if appropriate).

If the doctor suspects that Acute Stress Disorder is present, the individual should be sent for a full assessment.

A full assessment can be undertaken by a mental health specialist. The specialist will conduct an in-depth assessment of the symptoms of the individual.

For a diagnosis to be made, the following criteria should be met:

The individual has experienced re-experiencing symptoms pertaining to a traumatic event
The individual has showed symptoms of avoidance in reaction to a traumatic event
The individual has showed symptoms of dissociation in reaction to a traumatic event, which involves some memory loss
Psychological changes are evident since the traumatic event
The symptoms have caused significant distress
The symptoms have been present for at least three days
Symptoms cannot be attributed to substance abuse or a different mental health condition

It is possible that Adjustment Disorder, or a different mental health condition will be diagnosed, if the specialist believes this is appropriate. Furthermore, it is possible that conditions are diagnosed.

As mentioned, if the symptoms last for longer than four weeks, PTSD will be a more suitable diagnosis.

How is Acute Stress Disorder treated?

Treatment is available for Acute Stress Disorder, with the aim of getting an individual to return to a normal functioning, and ensuring they don’t go on to develop PTSD. Normally, with the right treatment plan, a recovery can be made.

Treatment normally involves self-help and talking therapy. If symptoms do persist, PTSD treatment will be more applicable.

Self help

Sometimes, Acute Stress Disorder will clear up with some self help techniques. For example, these could include mindfulness, deep breathing exercises or yoga.

Exercise and a healthy diet can also prove helpful. Joining a local support group for trauma may also prove beneficial. Self-help isn’t always sufficient however.

Talking Therapy

Acute Stress Disorder can be treated effectively through talking therapy. Therapy can help an individual come to terms with their traumatic event, or to understand their thoughts and behaviour. It is common for grounding techniques to be taught to help an individual separate the traumatic past from the present day.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of therapy that is used to treat a range of mental health conditions. CBT involves an individual talking face-to-face with a therapist, although sometimes CBT can be conducted in a group setting. CBT attempts to improve an individual’s wellbeing and mood. The therapy focuses on the link between thoughts, feelings and actions. This can be useful for those with low self-esteem, anxiety, unhelpful personality traits or intrusive thoughts. CBT can help an individual understand their feelings more, and in the long run should lead to an improvement in quality of life.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR): While more of a newer treatment, EMDR is an exciting intervention that has helped many people cope with trauma-based conditions. This therapy involves an individual moving their eyes from side-to-side, with the therapist directing their eye movements. During this, the individual recalls their traumatic experience. EMDR is believed to help an individual change how they think about the traumatic event, with the therapist aiming to facilitate change.

Psychoanalytical Psychotherapy: Psychoanalytical Psychotherapy is a talking therapy that aims to help uncover and resolve unconscious beliefs that cause psychiatric conditions. Traumatic experiences that may or may not be buried in the unconscious mind can be highlighted and processed. Psychoanalytical psychotherapy involves talking to a trained therapist. The therapist can show the individual how early memories and past traumas have affected their thinking, behaviour and attitude in the modern day. Psychoanalytical psychotherapy is especially useful for any condition that involves past trauma. Renowned neurologist Sigmund Freud developed this therapy, which is typically completed over a long-term basis.

Along with the above three, there are a range of other types of talking therapies available. For more therapy-based information, you can take a look at our dedicated Therapy section.

Medication

Medication should not be required in cases of Acute Stress Disorder, due to its short-term nature.

But if an individual’s diagnosis progresses to PTSD, then medication may be considered. This would normally be an antidepressant.

Summary

It is very important that anyone suffering from the symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder accesses treatment. Early treatment is very important, and can lead to an individual maximising their chances of recovery, and staving off the threat of PTSD.

It can be so difficult to live with a traumatic event, but help is available. In most instances, treatment will lead to a full recovery. For more information on mental health, there is plenty of information on our website to assist you.