Acute Stress Reaction

Question 1

What is an acute stress reaction?

Answer 1

An acute transient disorder of significant severity developing in an individual with no mental disorder background and occurring in response to severe stressor

Question 2

What is the aetiology of an acute stress reaction?

Answer 2

Broad range of stimuli: attack, war, accident etc.

Question 3

What is the epidemiology of an acute stress reaction?

Answer 3

May represent a maladaptive response to stress, usually in anxious people.

Question 4

What is in the history of an acute stress reaction?

Answer 4

There must be clear temporal connection between stressor and symptoms. Onset of symptoms within minutes of exposure.

Question 5

What is in the examination of an acute stress reaction?

Answer 5

Autonomic arousal: tachycardia, sweating, palpitations, HTN, hyperactivity, restlessness.

Question 6

What investigations might you do for an acute stress reaction?

Answer 6

Exclude other neuroes, psychosis, organic disorders producing delrium.

Question 7

What is the management of an acute stress reaction?

Answer 7

Remove stressor. If not possible, anxiolytic short tem.

Question 8

What are the complications/ prognosis of an acute stress reaction?

Answer 8

Stressor should resolve within 8h of removal of stimulus. If not removed, diminished symptoms after 48h.

If not diminished, risk of progressing to PTSD.