What Is Acute Episodic Stress And How To Treat It

Episodic acute stress is the type of response that a person has when faced with situations that cause discomfort , anguish and/or anger, among others. For this reason, this pathology produces different manifestations that can affect both your social and private life. In this sense, it should be noted that this is a pattern that is repeated with certain frequency over time.

According to the DSM-V⁽¹⁾, it is possible to place episodic acute stress within acute stress disorder based on the delimitations conferred by the classification. Below, we show you the main diagnostic criteria :

• Distressing memories about a stressful event.
• Traumatic dreams related to the episode.
• Alteration of social, work and family life due to the symptoms involved.
• Duration between 3 days and a month.
• The manifestations cannot be explained by substance intake and/or some other type of mental disorder.

In order to understand this problem more precisely and establish a diagnosis, it is important to know the manifestations that may occur. In the following items, we will address the episodic acute stress symptoms :

• Irritability
• Hypervigilance
• Sleep disturbances
• Distress
• body aches
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vertigo

Despite the symptoms mentioned, it should be noted that the isolated presence of any of these symptoms does not necessarily represent a condition of episodic acute stress. Therefore, before suspecting that you are suffering from this disorder, it is important go to a health center to confirm the diagnosis by a health professional.

How can acute stress be treated? Determining the origins of episodic acute stress is essential to establish possible approach strategies and the most appropriate treatment for each patient. Next, we explain the main causes of acute episodic stress:

Environmental factors

The life’s experiences They directly influence the feelings, behaviors and thoughts of people in their daily lives. Among the best-known reasons are social pressures, family abuse, disappointments in love, among others.

Organic factors

On the other hand, the genetic It is another factor that can play an important role in the appearance of episodic acute stress. In general terms, there are neural components that are linked to the processing of information that comes from external stimuli. These connections produce diverse emotional responses that are linked to the symptoms involved.

This pathology has some effects that directly affect the person who suffers from this disorder. The main consequences of acute episodic stress are:

• Physical aspects : The persistence of symptoms brings with it physical difficulties that can present through health complications.
• Psychological aspects : The person may show a tendency to isolate themselves from social environments that they previously shared. Furthermore, other mental disorders may also arise from this condition.

How do you cure acute stress? Today there are various treatments to improve the symptoms of episodic acute stress and, consequently, the quality of life of people who suffer from it. Taking this point into account, we will present the treatments for episodic acute stress:

Psychological therapy

It consists of a space that provides emotional support and tools to face stressful situations. In global terms, emphasis is placed on various strategies to cope with daily life in a more enjoyable way based on the characteristics of each person. Among the most accepted psychological therapies are psychoanalysis and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Psychiatric medication

On the other hand, psychotropic drugs may be another option when the complexities of the clinical picture affect the person’s daily life. However, psychiatric medication should always be given under the supervision of a professional of mental health.

This article is merely informative, at PsychologyFor we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

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