Acute stress, or acute stress disorder as it is otherwise known, is one of the most common types of stress experienced on a day-to-day basis. It is believed that up to one in six people will experience acute stress at some point in their life.
However, unlike chronic stress, burnout and post-traumatic stress disorder, acute stress is temporary and often alleviates within one month of symptoms first arising.
While acute stress is temporary and is classed as one of the least dangerous forms of stress, it should be noted that without treatment, acute stress has seen over 80% of people suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder later in life. With this in mind, it is vital that acute stress treatment is sought.
Acute Stress Treatment
Acute stress treatment essentially prevents an individual from encountering post-traumatic stress disorder, which, unlike acute stress, can be life-threatening.
While the acute stress treatment an individual obtains will depend on various factors such as their age, the severity of their acute stress disorder and the side effects they experience, the most common forms of acute stress treatment include cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy, stress management, bereavement, trauma and abuse counselling and stress management.
Medication can also be provided if acute stress becomes unbearable. In the instance that medication is required, antidepressants will likely be prescribed.
It should be noted that the side effects of acute stress arise relatively quickly. With this in mind, acute stress treatment should not be delayed.
Delaying treatment for acute stress could see an individual more prone to other mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety and, as touched on above, post-traumatic stress disorder.
In some instances, when acute stress treatment is not sought, substance abuse and addictions also often arise.
Contact Rehab Clinics Group Today
Although we hope that the information provided above will have answered any questions you may have surrounding acute stress and acute stress treatment, please feel free to contact our admissions team today if any of your questions remain unanswered.
In doing so, our admissions team can provide you with the information that you may be searching for and help you secure appropriate treatment.
Likewise, if you would like to refer a loved one for treatment at one of our centres in the United Kingdom or Spain, we welcome you to call us.
Sources
https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/research-and-evaluation/mental-health-statistics/
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/related/acute_stress.asp#:~:text=If%20you%20have%20ASD%2C%20you,still%20develop%20PTSD%20later%20on.
Our Frequently Asked Questions
At Rehab Clinics Group, we often find that individuals struggling with acute stress do not take advantage of the acute stress treatment available to them.
This is often due to a lack of understanding regarding acute stress and the treatment that rehab clinics, such as our own, provide.
With this in mind, we have delved into our most frequently asked questions below to help you gain a more comprehensive understanding of what acute stress is.