Acute stress reaction: Difference between revisions
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*B. Presence of nine (or more) of the following symptoms from any of the five categories of intrusion, negative mood, dissociation, avoidance, and arousal, beginning or worsening | *B. Presence of nine (or more) of the following symptoms from any of the five categories of intrusion, negative mood, dissociation, avoidance, and arousal, beginning or worsening | ||
after the traumatic event(s) occurred: | after the traumatic event(s) occurred: | ||
====Intrusion Symptoms==== | ====Intrusion Symptoms==== | ||
:*1. Recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories of the traumatic event(s). | :*1. Recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories of the traumatic event(s). | ||
Revision as of 22:25, 23 October 2014
Template:DiseaseDisorder infobox
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Kiran Singh, M.D. [2]
Overview
Acute stress reaction (also called acute stress disorder or simply shock) is a psychological condition arising in response to a terrifying event.
"Acute Stress Response", was first described by Walter Cannon in the 1920s as a theory that animals react to threats with a general discharge of the sympathetic nervous system. The response was later recognized as the first stage of a general adaptation syndrome that regulates stress responses among vertebrates and other organisms.
The onset of a stress response is associated with specific physiological actions in the sympathetic nervous system, both directly and indirectly through the release of epinephrine and to a lesser extent norepinephrine from the medulla of the adrenal glands. The release is triggered by acetylcholine released from pre-ganglionic sympathetic nerves. These catecholamine hormones facilitate immediate physical reactions by triggering increases in heart rate and breathing, constricting blood vessels in many parts of the body - but not in muscles (vasodilation), brain, lungs and heart - and tightening muscles. An abundance of catecholamines at neuroreceptor sites facilitates reliance on spontaneous or intuitive behaviors often related to combat or escape.
Normally, when a person is in a serene, unstimulated state, the "firing" of neurons in the locus ceruleus is minimal. A novel stimulus, once perceived, is relayed from the sensory cortex of the brain through the thalamus to the brain stem. That route of signaling increases the rate of noradrenergic activity in the locus ceruleus, and the person becomes alert and attentive to the environment.
If a stimulus is perceived as a threat, a more intense and prolonged discharge of the locus ceruleus activates the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system (Thase & Howland, 1995). The activation of the sympathetic nervous system leads to the release of norepinephrine from nerve endings acting on the heart, blood vessels, respiratory centers, and other sites. The ensuing physiological changes constitute a major part of the acute stress response. The other major player in the acute stress response is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
Causes
By definition[citation needed], acute stress disorder is a result of a traumatic event in which the person experienced or witnessed an event that involved threatened or actual serious injury or death and responded with intense fear and helplessness.
Differential Diagnosis
- Adjustment disorders
- Dissociative disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Panic disorder
- Post traumatic stress disorder
- Psychotic disorders
- Traumatic brain injury[1]
Epidemiology and Demographics
Prevalence
The prevalence of acute stress disorder in overall population is:
- Less than 20,000 per 100,000 (<20%)for non interpersonal traumatic events.[1]
- Is 20,000-50,000 per 100,000 (20%-50%) for interpersonal traumatic events.[1]
Risk Factors
- Females
- Negative affectivity(neuroticism)
- Prior mental disorder
- Prior trauma
- Severity of the traumatic event[1]
Diagnostic Criteria
DSM-V Diagnostic Criteria for Acute[1]
| “ |
Note:In cases of actual or threatened death of a family member or friend, the event(s) must have been violent or accidental .
exposed to details of child abuse). Note:This does not apply to exposure through electronic media, television, movies,or pictures, unless this exposure is work related . AND
after the traumatic event(s) occurred: Intrusion Symptoms
Note:In children, repetitive play may occur in which themes or aspects of the traumatic event(s) are expressed .
Note:In children, there may be frightening dreams without recognizable content .
with the most extreme expression being a complete loss of awareness of present surroundings.) Note:In children, trauma-specific reenactment may occur in play .
traumatic event(s). Negative Mood
Dissociative Symptoms
Avoidance Symptoms
Arousal Symptoms
AND
Note: Symptoms typically begin immediately after the trauma, but persistence for at least 3 days and up to a month is needed to meet disorder criteria . 'AND D. The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational,or other important areas of functioning. AND E. The disturbance is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g.,medication or alcohol) or another medical condition (e.g., mild traumatic brain injury) and is not better explained by brief psychotic disorder.This does not apply to exposure through electronic media, television, movies,or pictures, unless this exposure is work related. |
” |
Treatment
The disorder may resolve itself with time or may develop into a more severe disorder such as PTSD. Medication can be used for a very short duration (up to four weeks) or psychotherapy can be used to assist the victim in dealing with the fear and sense of helplessness.
Prognosis
Prognosis for this disorder is very good. If it should progress into another disorder, success rates can vary according to the specific of that disorder.
See also
de:Akute Belastungsreaktion it:Disturbo acuto da stress nl:Acute stress-stoornis