How to Spot Acute Stress Disorder Symptoms

You can suffer from acute stress disorder 1 to 3 months after you experience a traumatic event or accident. This event could be related to work, abuse, violence, illness or death. Treated as a component of overall post-traumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder is thought of as temporary, but the symptoms are still very real.

Things You'll Need

• Licensed psychotherapist

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Instructions

Spot the Symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder

• 1

  Note any continuing night terrors or daytime flashbacks you have after a traumatic event. Flashbacks and nightmares are considered key symptoms of acute stress disorder and can be treated with therapy and prescription medication.

• 2

  Take emotional triggers seriously. If you were traumatized by a car accident, for example, and now experience moderate to severe anxiety about getting in a car, you may have acute stress disorder. It is best to avoid these triggers while you seek therapeutic help.

• 3

  Review your physical state for signs of chronic hyperarousal in the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). This part of your brain, located in the Limbic center, controls your blood flow, muscle movement and "flight" reaction. When you are experiencing symptoms of acute stress disorder, your ANS can cause you to react physically and exhibit accelerated heartbeat, hypervigilance, cold sweating, heart palpitations, rapid breathing and hyper-startle response (jumpiness).

• 4

  Spot when your symptoms are combined with a loss of social function, loss of interest in relationships or a generalized lethargy for activities that once brought you joy. These are classic acute stress disorder symptoms.

• 5

  Keep a journal of your symptoms to spot patterns and note longevity. If you have had these symptoms for more than 1 month, you are likely suffering from acute stress disorder and should seek medical attention.