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What is Acute Stress Reaction ?

Acute stress reaction (ASR) is the psychological distress that can occur immediately in response to a traumatic event. Symptoms include anxiety, fear, confusion, anger, guilt, numbness or feeling dazed. Physical signs can include heart palpitations, headaches, nausea, and hyperventilation. ASR is considered normal in the initial few days to weeks following a traumatic experience.
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How ASR differs from PTSD

While ASR occurs in the immediate aftermath of trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops over time following a traumatic or life-threatening event. ASR symptoms appear within hours or days, while PTSD symptoms persist for over a month.

ASR sufferers are usually aware they are emotionally distressed and that this will improve. PTSD causes impaired functioning not recognized by the sufferer. ASR does not inherently change brain structure or fear conditioning. PTSD involves measurable, long-term changes to brain regions controlling fear, memory, and reasoning.

Most people recovering from trauma experience ASR but do not develop PTSD. About 8% of trauma survivors develop PTSD. ASR fades as emotional equilibrium returns, while PTSD is sustained without proper treatment.

Treatments

Depression Diagnosed-Depress
ASR treatment involves techniques to manage acute anxiety and regain emotional balance. Crisis counselling helps process the trauma’s impact. Relaxation exercises like deep breathing lower distress. Medications are generally not used unless the reaction is severe.
Most ASR sufferers naturally recover equilibrium within a month, aided by support from loved ones. Their brains can process the trauma without long-term fear conditioning or dysfunction. However, prompt trauma-focused psychotherapy can help prevent future PTSD in some cases.

With proper care to restore emotional functioning, ASR usually passes naturally. If distress or impaired functioning persists over a month post-trauma, PTSD may have developed, requiring formal treatment. Early intervention can help prevent traumatic experiences from shaping brains and lives over the long term.