Acute Stress Syndrome Flashcards
1
Q
Defintion
A
A psychological condition that can develop after exposure, and as a response, to a stressful event
2
Q
Aetiology + Risk factors
A
Aetiology
- Being involved in traumatic events (serious accidents, physical or sexual assault, natural disasters)
- Witnessing traumatic events,
- Past psychiatric disorders and avoidant coping
Risk factors
- Hx of PTSD
- Dissociative behaviour
- Other psychological conditions e.g anxiety .
3
Q
Signs and symptoms
A
- Intrusion = re-experiencing where the person has flashbacks
- Avoidance
- Hyperarousal; reckless or aggressive behaviour, sleep disturbances, hypervigilance
- Mood related; negative thoughts, mood or feelings
- Autonomic signs of anxiety: tachy, sweating
4
Q
Differential diagnosis
A
GAD (generalised anxiety disorder)
PTSD
Depression
Alcohol misuse
Schizophrenia
5
Q
Treatment
A
Trauma-focused CBT
Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)
Benzodiazepine for short term relief of severe anxiety
