LCP Fix Acute Stress Disorder - Clearfork Academy

Acute Stress Disorder

Acute stress disorder is more persistent and much more intense than the routine stress that many teenagers experience. Unlike everyday stress about schoolwork or social interactions, acute stress disorder is an overwhelming reaction to a specific traumatic event. Examples of such traumatic events include being in a serious accident or witnessing a death. The resonant power of such an acute stressor can disrupt a teenager’s sense of well-being.

What Is Acute Stress Disorder?

The acute stress disorder diagnosis originally was developed in the early 20th century to identify soldiers susceptible to post-traumatic stress disorder. More recently, the definition has been expanded to include anyone with an extreme psychological reaction to a traumatic event. Individuals with acute stress disorder tend to experience symptoms that last from three days to one month following initial exposure to the acute stressor. Unlike chronic stress that is not connected to particular trauma, acute stress disorder often passes once the traumatic event has been addressed and processed.

In certain cases, a series of traumatic events can lead to acute stress disorder. For example, sexual abuse and repeated physical abuse often result in acute stress disorder. Regarding symptoms, acute stress disorder is characterized by severe anxiety and an overall dissociative response.

In teens, acute stress disorder often causes the traumatic event to be re-experienced as flashback episodes and bad dreams. Hence, they tend to avoid anything that triggers a memory of the acute stressor. Cognitive behavioral therapy and psychological debriefing have proven to be the most effective acute stress disorder treatment approaches.

Sources: Psych Central, 

It's Time to Make a Change

Ready to Begin the Path to Healing?

Call Today (817) 259-2597
Most commercial insurance accepted
Sleep Disorders in Teens
March 14, 2023

Sleep Disorders in Teens

Sleep deprivation is a condition that many teens suffer from chronically. And yet, they are at an age when both the quantity and quality of sleep are essential to their health and development. The American Academ...
March 7, 2023

How to Deal With a Rebellious Teenager

Being a parent is one of the most incredible experiences a person can have in their lifetime. But as they say, with great power comes great responsibility. Being a parent is not always easy. Once...
February 28, 2023

How Do I Help My Son and Daughter With Drug Addiction?

As a parent, discovering that your child is struggling with a drug or alcohol problem can be very distressing. Witnessing a child's addiction is heart-rending, and many parents feel a sense of gu...
February 24, 2023

What Is the Number One Drug Used by Teens?

Substance abuse comes with many mental and physical health risks, especially for young people because they are still growing and developing. It is reasonable for parents and guardians to worry th...

We Are Here to Help.

Contact Us Today to Begin.

1
2
3
4