Find out if you might have acute stress symptoms and what to do about it.

Definition of acute stress disorder:

Acute Stress Disorder (ACD) describes a response to a life threatening or terrifying event occurring within one month of the stressor. If ACD is not addressed it might turn into Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms.

“Most Americans will be involved in a traffic accident at some point in their lives, and 25% of the population will be involved in accidents resulting in serious injuries. The National Comorbidity Survey of 1995 found that 9% of survivors of serious motor vehicle accidents developed ASD or PTSD.”

Symptoms:

Flashbacks of car accident several times a day
Difficulty sleeping/Nightmares
Problems concentrating
Anxiety and depression
Over emotional: easily irritated, sudden sadness,
Avoiding scene of accident, people, places, and conversations
Hyppervigilant-constantly over-reacting to traffic sounds with startle response
Feeling numb or frozen-inability to perform daily tasks
Daydreaming

Factors influencing development of symptoms:

Age
Former Trauma Experiences
Internal and External Resources:
Vulnerability, Support of Family and Friends

Treatments:

A combination of physical and psychological treatment such as physical therapy, acupuncture, message, chiropractic care, and psychotherapy is suggested.