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What Is Acute Distress Disorder

Everyone experiences periods of distress at points in their life. For some, however, that distress can be even more overwhelming and disruptive to their life. Especially after a traumatic event, acute stress can trigger feelings of high anxiety and helplessness. This is called acute distress disorder.

Everyone experiences periods of distress at points in their life. For some, however, that distress can be even more overwhelming and disruptive to their life. Especially after a traumatic event, acute stress can trigger feelings of high anxiety and helplessness. This is called acute distress disorder, and it impacts 1 in 4 people exposed to trauma in the first month after their traumatic event.1 In today’s blog, we’ll discuss what acute distress disorder is and what you can do about it.

What Is Acute Distress Disorder?

Acute distress disorder, sometimes called acute stress disorder, is a short-term mental health disorder that occurs typically within the first month after a traumatic event. In the midst of a traumatic event — such as a car accident, a shooting, an assault, or other trauma — you may feel overwhelming senses of anxiety and helplessness. 

While it may not last forever, it can feel all-consuming while it does last. It is important to reach out for mental health support during this time to help you through the distress.

Symptoms of acute distress disorder include:

  • Intrusive thoughts or memories of the traumatic event
  • Flashbacks or nightmares of the event
  • Difficulty experiencing satisfaction or happiness
  • Altered sense of reality such as dissociating or time slowing down
  • Strong efforts to avoid thinking about the traumatic event
  • Difficulty sleeping or eating
  • Strong irritability or anger
  • Hypervigilance against perceived threats

Connection To Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

In some cases, acute distress disorder can lead to developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The US Department of Veteran Affairs says that 80% of people who suffer from acute distress disorder develop PTSD within 6 months.2 This is not a sure thing. Some people who have acute distress disorder process their trauma and do not go on to have PTSD. Others who do not have acute distress disorder will develop PTSD. However, it is a common enough occurrence that patients and providers should be aware of the risk.PTSD is a long-form mental health disorder in which the symptoms of stress as a result of your trauma become a constant part of your life. Those with PTSD may suffer flashbacks, anxiety, helplessness, nightmares, or a strong desire to avoid people and places that remind them of their trauma. PTSD is treatable with a combination of anti-anxiety medication and therapy. It typically lasts much longer than acute distress disorder, lasting for several months or several years.

What To Do When You Suffer From Acute Distress Disorder

Acute distress disorder may feel like you’re drowning, especially shortly after the traumatic event. But no matter how it feels, acute distress disorder does not have to be helpless. There is help available and there are ways to manage your distress. Here are a few things you can do when you suffer from acute distress disorder:

Ask For Help

The important thing is to reach out for help. Start therapy, reach out to a psychiatrist for help prescribing medication, or call a crisis hotline if you are in the midst of crisis. Acute distress disorder is treatable, and managing those symptoms can help you to avoid it complicating into post-traumatic stress disorder.

One therapy that has been found to be especially effective for acute distress disorder is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). In the aftermath of trauma, your acute distress symptoms may change your thought patterns and behaviors. CBT helps you to reframe those thought patterns that no longer serve you. In doing so, you can change your behaviors and work towards getting into a healthier, more level-minded mindset.

Work Towards Gentle Exposure

This may work best in combination with therapy. In the midst of acute distress disorder, you may find yourself avoiding people, places, and things that remind you of your trauma. This can be detrimental and disruptive to your daily life and relationships. If you can expose yourself to those people, places, and things that make you anxious, bit by bit, you can begin to heal.

It may be too difficult to dive into exposure right away. Instead, gently expose yourself through small steps, sometimes with the help of a therapist. Be gentle with yourself if you find you’re not ready for certain steps of exposure. Just push the limits of your comfort zone in small ways until you can gradually return to normal.

Take Care of Your Health

Try to minimize stressors in your life by taking care of your health. When you are sleep deprived or not eating nutritiously, it can exacerbate your symptoms of stress. Make sure that you get 8 hours of sleep each night if possible. Eat three meals a day. Shower and drink plenty of water. You may also need to cut back on things that increase your stress, such as social media or certain interactions.

Our skilled and compassionate clinicians at Rivia Mind are experienced when it comes to working with acute distress disorder, as well as longer form stress disorders like PTSD. We can help you manage your symptoms and get your life back on track. Contact Rivia Mind today to learn more or to set up a free 15-minute consultation.

Resources:

  1. Acute Distress Disorder – The American Institute of Stress
  2. Acute Stress Disorder – National Center for PTSD
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