Acute stress reaction

An acute stress reaction is a short-lived psychological and physical response that begins soon after an exceptionally stressful or traumatic event.

Fight-or-flight response: A rapid autonomic response that prepares the body to confront danger or escape it. It helps explain the racing heart, muscle tension, and heightened alertness that can accompany acute stress.
Acute stress disorder: A trauma-related mental disorder involving specified symptoms that persist from three days to one month after trauma. It is a formal diagnosis, whereas an acute stress reaction need not meet diagnostic criteria.
Psychological first aid: A practical, humane approach to supporting people affected by crisis or disaster. It offers immediate support without treating a short-lived reaction as a disorder.
Sleep disturbance: Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or obtaining restorative sleep. Heightened arousal and upsetting memories can interfere with sleep after trauma.
Psychological trauma: A psychological response to events or circumstances experienced as deeply threatening or overwhelming. Trauma provides the context in which an acute stress reaction may begin.
Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis: A hormonal signaling system linking the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands. Its stress-hormone signaling contributes to the body's response after a threatening event.
Post-traumatic stress disorder: A mental disorder involving persistent trauma-related symptoms lasting more than one month and causing significant distress or impairment. Symptoms that persist beyond the immediate period may require consideration of PTSD.
Psychological debriefing: A structured intervention that encourages people to recount and process a traumatic event soon after it occurs. Routine single-session debriefing has not reliably prevented later trauma symptoms and may be unhelpful.
Hypervigilance: A heightened state of alertness to possible threats in the environment. Ongoing scanning for danger can be part of the reaction's immediate aftermath.
Stress: A state of mental or physical strain arising when demands challenge a person's resources or coping capacity. Acute stress reaction is a specific, short-lived response within the broader phenomenon of stress.

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