acute_stress_disorder_flashcards

Question 1

What is Acute Stress Disorder?

Answer 1

Acute stress disorder is defined as an acute stress reaction that occurs in the first 4 weeks after a person has been exposed to a traumatic event (threatened death, serious injury e.g. road traffic accident, sexual assault etc).

Question 2

What are the features of Acute Stress Disorder?

Answer 2

Features include: intrusive thoughts (e.g. flashbacks, nightmares), dissociation (e.g. ‘being in a daze’, time slowing), negative mood, avoidance, arousal (e.g. hypervigilance, sleep disturbance).

Question 3

How is Acute Stress Disorder different from PTSD?

Answer 3

Acute stress disorder occurs in the first 4 weeks after a traumatic event, whereas post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is diagnosed after 4 weeks.

Question 4

What are the management options for Acute Stress Disorder?

Answer 4

Management options include trauma-focused cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and sometimes benzodiazepines for acute symptoms (e.g. agitation, sleep disturbance).

Question 5

What are the risks of using benzodiazepines in Acute Stress Disorder management?

Answer 5

Benzodiazepines should be used with caution due to their addictive potential and concerns that they may be detrimental to adaptation.

Question 6

summarise

Answer 6

Acute stress disorder

Acute stress disorder is defined as an acute stress reaction that occurs in the first 4 weeks after a person has been exposed to a traumatic event (threatened death, serious injury e.g. road traffic accident, sexual assault etc). This is in contrast to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which is diagnosed after 4 weeks.

Features include:
intrusive thoughts e.g. flashbacks, nightmares
dissociation e.g. ‘being in a daze’, time slowing
negative mood
avoidance
arousal e.g. hypervigilance, sleep disturbance

Management
trauma-focused cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is usually used first-line
benzodiazepines
sometimes used for acute symptoms e.g. agitation, sleep disturbance
should only be used with caution due to addictive potential and concerns that they may be detrimental to adaptation

Question 7

A 33-year-old male presents after his partner encouraged him to see the GP. He has had hyperarousal to loud noises and difficulty concentrating at work following a stay in the Intensive Care Unit 6 weeks ago. His partner did some reading online and feels he is suffering from an acute stress disorder. You advise him that he has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and discuss treatment options. He asks what the difference is, so that he can explain it to his partner. You advise there are similarities in the presentation and the main difference is temporal.

What is the earliest stage after the event that you could confirm this diagnosis?

2 weeks
4 weeks
6 weeks
8 weeks
12 weeks

Answer 7

4 weeks

Acute stress disorder is defined as an acute stress reaction that occurs in the 4 weeks after a traumatic event, as opposed to PTSD which is diagnosed after 4 weeks
Important for meLess important
4 weeks is the correct answer. PTSD can be diagnosed after 4 weeks.

All of the other options are incorrect.

A presentation of these symptoms at 2 weeks would suggest acute stress disorder.

Acute stress disorder and PTSD have similar features. In PTSD this includes:
Re-experiencing: flashbacks, nightmares, repetitive and distressing intrusive images
Avoidance: avoiding people, situations or circumstances resembling or associated with the event
Hyperarousal: hypervigilance for threat, exaggerated startle response, sleep problems, irritability and difficulty concentrating
Emotional numbing - lack of ability to experience feelings, feeling detached