Acute Stress Disorder

Acute stress disorder is a short-lived but severe disorder caused by an overwhelming, psychologically traumatic experience. The symptoms develop rapidly, but tend to resolve within a matter of days. These include psychological symptoms, such as feeling numb and detached, dazed and disorientated, and physical symptoms, such as sweating, shakiness, palpitations and insomnia. Some patients will go on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder.

If there is persistent denial that the event has occurred, the patient should be cautiously prompted to recall the facts. A short course of a benzodiazepine tranquilliser and/or hypnotic may help severe agitation or insomnia.