Acute stress disorder (ASD, also known as acute stress reaction, psychological shock, mental shock, or simply shock) is a psychological response to a terrifying, traumatic or surprising experience. It may bring about delayed stress reactions (better known as post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD) if not correctly addressed.[1][2] Sympathetic acute stress disorder is caused by the release of excessive adrenaline and norepinephrine into the nervous system. These hormones may speed up a person's pulse and respiratory rate, dilate pupils, or temporarily mask pain. This type of ASD developed as an evolutionary advantage to help humans survive dangerous situations. The "fight or flight" response may allow for temporarily-enhanced physical output, even in the face of severe injury. However, other physical illnesses become more difficult to diagnose, as ASD masks the pain and other vital signs that would otherwise be symptomatic.[1]
Parasympathetic
Parasympathetic acute stress disorder is characterised by feeling faint and nauseous. This response is fairly often triggered by the sight of blood. In this stress response, the body releases acetylcholine. In many ways, this reaction is the opposite of the sympathetic response, in that it slows the heart rate and can cause the patient to either regurgitate or temporarily lose consciousness. The evolutionary value of this is unclear, although it may have allowed for prey to appear dead to avoid being eaten.[1] The DSM-IV specifies that acute stress disorder must be accompanied by the presence of dissociative symptoms, which largely differentiates it from post-traumatic stress disorder[citation needed].
Dissociative symptoms include a sense of numbing or detachment from emotional reactions, a sense of physical detachment - such as seeing oneself from another perspective - decreased awareness of one's surroundings, the perception that one's environment is unreal or dreamlike, and the inability to recall critical aspects of the traumatic event (dissociative amnesia).[3]
In addition to these characteristics, ASD can be present in the following symptom clusters: intrusion, negative mood, disassociation, avoidance of distressing memories and emotional arousal. Intrusion symptoms include recurring and distressing dreams, flashbacks, or memories related to the traumatic event and related somatic symptoms. Emotional arousal symptoms include sleep disturbances, hypervigilance, difficulties with concentration, more common startle response, and irritability.[4]
Complications
There are a number of issues that can arise from acute stress. Depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and substance abuse problems can develop from acute stress. Untreated ASD can also lead to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder.[5]
17 авг 2024
