Dissociative Symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder

Acute Stress Disorder is caused by any traumatic event where and individual feels their own or another individual is in danger of harm or death. Symptoms include intrusive thoughts of the event, increased anxiety, poor memory of the event, and in extreme cases, dissociation.

Acute Stress Disorder vs. PTSD

• Acute Stress Disorder is very much like Post-Traumatic stress Syndrome, with the major difference being the length of the disorder. By definition, the symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder resolve within four weeks. If the symptoms last longer than four weeks, the diagnosis is changed to PTSD.

The Dissociative Spectrum

• Dissociation is found in many mental health disorders. The most pure example is found in Dissociative Identity disorder, where an individual has two or more distinct personalities that serve different functions in the person's life. A true case of Dissociative Identity Disorder is very rare.

Inability to Recall events

• Not all victims of traumatic events develop Acute Stress Disorder. Those that do often have trouble recalling details of the event. A victim of a natural disaster, for example, might not recall how he was evacuated from the scene.

Disturbances in Time

• Losing recall of blocks of time is another common outcome of Acute Stress Disorder. Individuals are sometimes unable to remember how they arrived at a certain location, or how they came to be wearing a certain outfit.

Depersonalization

• Depersonalization refers to the sensation of not being in one's own body. People suffering from Acute Stress Disorder often describe feeling like they are watching themselves from outside their physical body. They might describe feeling robotic, as if they are on "autopilot."

Treatment

• Symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder may dissipate over time, If symptoms linger, psychotherapy that includes stress reduction exercises is often prescribed. A physical examination to rule out any other health problems is also recommended.