Acute Stress Disorder - Symptoms

• Psychological

  Anxiety, fear, helplessness, flashbacks, nightmares, negative mood, dissociation, avoidance

• Physical

  Palpitations, difficulty breathing, chest pain, headache, stomach pain, nausea, sweating

When it occurs

• Symptoms begin within one month of the traumatic event

• Symptoms must be present for at least three days

• Symptoms must be debilitating enough to impact the person's usual way of life

When to consider PTSD

• If significant symptoms last more than one month, a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) should be considered

Examples of traumatic events

• Serious accidents, natural or man-made disasters, combat, torture, physical and sexual assaults

• Witnessing the threatened or actual injury or death of others

• Learning about the sudden, unexpected or violent death of a loved one

<< BACK