Differences Between Acute Stress And Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
At some point, we all experience levels of stress This is to a certain 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 terms of stress levels and its origin. In this article we will clarify What are the differences between acute stress and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
To clearly establish the differences between these two types of stress, we will first look at a summary of each of them, and then we will go on to establish the specific differences that exist between them.
This type of stress occurs in the subject after having experienced some type of adverse circumstance in your life or after witnessing the misfortune of another person For example, a car accident, a particularly difficult breakup, etc.
It is very similar to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, since the symptoms are almost the same. One of the most significant differences between acute stress and post-traumatic stress disorder is, of course, the prevalence of these symptoms in the person.
In general, the symptoms of acute stress disorder usually last between three days and a maximum of one month. The intensity of stress and its consequences on the subject’s general health will depend on the severity of the event that has occurred. Its severity is subjective (severity depends on the perception that the subject gives to the event).
Symptoms are characterized by the presence of intrusive thoughts which are related to the negative experience they experienced, 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 be:
To establish the diagnosis of this disorder the intensity and prevalence of these symptoms in the subject must be evaluated These must be intense enough to affect at least three significant areas in the subject’s life.
Regarding prevalence, it must be expressed between three days and one month; After this period the symptoms should begin to decrease naturally.
What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder is characterized by intense feelings of anxiety and worry in situations that for the affected person represent a similarity or are related to a traumatic event that has occurred in their life, and even in the mere fact of remembering what happened.
As occurs with acute stress disorder, in this case the subject presents intrusive thoughts related to trauma experienced in the past and anxiety levels that intensify in situations that the person identifies as similar to those of the trauma in question.
For example, a subject who has ever suffered a car accident could develop post-traumatic stress disorder; Which would generate a feeling of fear in him on some occasions when he thinks about cars.
The intensity of the distress must 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 symptoms could last up to a semester.
Below we will see a list of differences between acute stress and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
1. The moment at which symptoms arise
While in acute stress the characteristic symptoms begin shortly after having suffered the traumatic event, in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder the symptoms start after at least one month has passed
It could happen that before presenting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder the person shows the 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 decrease after a month, and it may occur that the subject overcomes his trauma and can face situations that remind him of the traumatic event.
Regarding post-traumatic stress, the prevalence of symptoms is greater, and can 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 their duration 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 implemented in these cases, and They can be combined with the administration of some anxiolytic indicated by the doctor.
