Differences between Acute Stress and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

An aid to distinguish between these two types of anxiety-related disorders.

At some point in time, we all experience stress levels of anxiety and anxiety disorders.. This is to some extent normal in everyday life, because sometimes routine and unforeseen events generate this experience.

However, it is good to understand that there are important differences in stress levels and the origin of stress. In this article we will clarify what are the differences between acute stress and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?.

To establish clearly what are the differences between these two types of stress, we will see first a summary of each one of them, and then we will happen to establish the punctual differences that exist between the same ones.

What is acute stress?

This type of stress occurs in the subject after having after having experienced some kind of adverse circumstance in his or her life or after witnessing the misfortune of another person.. For example, a car accident, a particularly difficult breakup with a partner, etc.

It has a lot of similarity with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, as the symptomatology is almost the same. One of the most significant differences between acute stress and PTSD is, however, the prevalence of these symptoms in the individual.

In general, the symptomatology of acute stress disorder usually lasts from three days to a maximum of one month. The intensity of the stress and its consequences on the general health of the subject will depend on the severity of the event that has occurred. The severity of the event is subjective (the severity depends on the subject's perception of the event).

The symptoms are characterized by the presence of intrusive thoughts, which are related to the negative experience they had.which are related to the negative experience they lived, causing the person to feel threatened in certain situations that remind them of the event, even when the context does not represent a real threat.

Other symptoms may include:

• Affective lability (sudden and rapid mood changes).
• Affective flattening (Emotionally numb)
• Alterations of consciousness (feeling that they are not real)
• Difficulty in maintaining concentration
• Trouble falling asleep
• Recurrent dreams related to the traumatic event.

To establish the diagnosis of this disorder the intensity and prevalence of these symptoms in the subject must be evaluated.. These must be sufficiently intense to affect at least three significant areas in the subject's life.

As for prevalence, it should be expressed between three days and one month; after this period the symptomatology should begin to decrease naturally.

What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is characterized by intense feelings of anguish and worry in the face of situations in situations that for the affected person represent a similarity or are related to a traumatic event that has happened in their life, and even just remembering what happened.

As in the case of acute stress disorder, in this case, the subject intrusive thoughts related to the trauma experienced in the past, and anxiety levels that become more intense.and anxiety levels that are intensified in situations that the person identifies as similar to those of the trauma in question.

For example, a person who has ever been in an automobile accident might develop post-traumatic stress disorder, which would generate a feeling of fear at times when he or she thinks about cars.

The intensity of the distress should be sufficient to affect three areas of the person's life, but in this case the prevalence of symptoms is usually greater than one month.. In the most intense cases the symptomatology could last up to a semester.

Differences between PTSD and acute stress

The following is a list of differences between acute stress and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

1. Timing of the onset of symptoms

While in acute stress the characteristic symptomatology begins shortly after the traumatic event, in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder the symptoms begin after the traumatic event has occurred. symptoms begin after at least one month after the traumatic event..

It could happen that before presenting Post Traumatic Stress Disorder the person shows symptoms of acute stress, but it would not be until after a month that the intensity of the symptoms begins to be significant.

2. The prevalence of symptoms

In cases of acute stress, the symptoms begin to diminish after a month, and it may happen that the subject overcomes the trauma and is able to face situations that remind him/her of the traumatic event.

With regard to post-traumatic stress, the prevalence of symptoms is greater and may last up to 6 months, depending on each case.

Final consideration

To conclude, it can be said that the most determining differences between these two types of stress are the onset of symptoms and the duration of symptoms in the patient..

The treatment for both cases is similar. This includes psychotherapy sessions with the subject and family members. Cognitive-behavioral therapies are one of the most widely implemented in these cases, and can be combined with the administration of an anxiolytic. can be combined with the administration of some anxiolytic indicated by the physician.

Bibliographic references:

• Bisson, J.I., Cosgrove, S., Lewis, C., Robert, N.P. (2015). Post-traumatic stress disorder. BMJ. 351: h6161.
• Herman, J.L. (1992). Complex PTSD: A syndrome in survivors of prolonged and repeated trauma. Journal of Traumatic Stress. 5 (3): 377 - 391.