Have you recently experienced trauma and find it difficult to cope? Read about acute stress disorder facts and statistics to see if you could have this condition.
Acute stress disorder (ASD)is a period of short-term, psychological stress following a life-altering or traumatic event. In recent years, there has been an emphasis on distinguishing ASD as a separate condition frompost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). ASD symptoms begin as early as three days after a traumatic event, and last up to one month, while PTSD symptoms last for longer or begin at a later time. Although published data on ASD is less abundant than PTSD, more studies are likely to be conducted in the future. This page providesacute stress disorder statisticsandfacts about ASD.
Clinical Presentation of Acute Stress Disorder
An individual may have acute stress disorder if they have experienced a recent traumatic life event and exhibit the following signs or symptoms:
- Anxiety about the future as it relates to the traumatic event
- Repeated and distressing flashbacks or memories of the event
- Avoiding thinking of anything that reminds them of their trauma
- Heightened reactivity, even in situations that pose no immediate danger
- Insomnia
- Impulsivity
- Lack of concentration
- Feeling more negative than positive emotions regularly
Prevalence of Acute Stress Disorder
Prevalence determines how common a condition is in a given population. The generalprevalence of acute stress disorderranges from6–33%in people who haveexperienced trauma.
The prevalence of ASD depends on the specific type of trauma an individual experienced.
[elementor-template id="4848"]Acute stress disorder develops in:
- 33%of people who experienced a mass shooting
- 14%of people who experienced a traumatic brain injury
- 16%of victims of assault
- 10%of burn victims
- 6%of people who experienced an industrial accident
- 13%of people who experienced amotor vehicle accident
It is worth noting that there areother forms of traumanot covered on this list. For instance, the sudden death of a friend or family member may also trigger acute stress disorder.
ASD Risk Factors
Risk factors are defined as any factors that predispose a person to an injury, disease, or disorder. There are severalrisk factors for ASD,most of which overlapwith PTSD. These include but are not limited to:
- Sex (higher ASD risk for women)
- Genetics
- Childhood trauma
- Experiencing constant physical or emotional pain
- Stress
- History of mental illness
- Substance use
- Disassociation
- Inability to cope
- Depression
Acute Stress Disorder and Related Conditions
There are a few related conditions that may be similar to or co-occur with acute stress disorder, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, adjustment disorder and substance use.
PTSD
As previously discussed, acute stress disorder is closely related to PTSD. Several clinical studies suggest thata diagnosis of ASD is predictive of PTSD, but cannot completely predict the development of PTSD. Additionally, some people may develop PTSD without ever having ASD first. If a person has ASD symptoms that last forlonger than one monthor occur after some time has passed since the traumatic event, they may be experiencing symptoms ofPTSD.
Adjustment Disorder
Anadjustment disorderis a condition related to high stress levels either for short (acute) or long periods (chronic). People with adjustment disorders often have differenttriggersthan those who have ASD. For example, adjustment disorders may be caused by life changes not related totrauma, like the loss of a job, the birth of a child or a move to a new home.
Substance Use
As recently as 2014,7.9 millionAmericans suffered from substance use disorders in combination with a mental illness. While there are fewer studies associating acute stress disorder with substance use,studiesinvolving PTSD suggest that half of all individuals suffering from substance use met PTSD diagnostic criteria. More importantly, individuals diagnosed with bothPTSD and substance usehadworse clinical outcomesthan their counterparts without PTSD.
Other Conditions
Astudy from 2004described several links between PTSD diagnosis and increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, fibromyalgia and autoimmune diseases. People living with acute stress disorder or PTSD may also be at ahigher risk for suicide.
Acute Stress Disorder Treatment & Prognosis
Various medical recommendations can be used to treat acute stress disorder. These includecognitive behavioral therapywith a focus on trauma. The overall goal ofacute stress disorder treatmentis to mitigate ASD symptoms and prevent the development of PTSD.
Some of the morecommonly prescribedASD treatments include a combination of therapy and medication, such as:
- Exposure Therapy (If well-tolerated by the patient)
- Antidepressants/Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Hydrocortisone use for PTSD prevention
- Omega-3-Fatty Acids for PTSD prevention
The prognosis, or an educated guess at treatment outcome, differs based on the severity of acute stress disorder. Whether or not a patient suffers from multiplemental health issuesin conjunction with this disorder may also impact the success of treatment.
If you or a loved one are struggling with drug or alcohol addiction and co-occurring acute stress disorder, The Recovery Village can help. You can receive comprehensive treatment for these co-occurring disorders at one of thefacilities located throughout the country. To learn more about treatment programs,call The Recovery Villageto speak with a representative.