Acute stress disorder (ASD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are both mental health conditions triggered by traumatic experiences, but they differ in how and when they show up. ASD typically begins within a few days of the event and lasts less than a month, while PTSD can develop if symptoms persist for more than a month and may last for years if untreated.

At Peak Wellness, we help people overcome both acute stress disorders and PTSD through tailored care that includes therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy and stress management techniques. Our goal is to provide every person with the tools and support they need to heal and move forward with confidence.

What are the Causes of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

PTSD is caused by experiencing or witnessing events that are extremely frightening or harmful. These events are often so intense that they overwhelm the person’s ability to cope. While PTSD is most commonly linked to events like combat or violence, it can be triggered by a wide range of situations. Here are some of the common causes of PTSD:

• Abuse (Physical, Emotional, or Sexual): Being abused or witnessing abuse can leave deep psychological scars, leading to PTSD.
• Accidents: Serious accidents like car crashes, falls, or natural disasters can cause trauma that leads to PTSD.
• Childhood Neglect: Experiencing neglect or abandonment as a child can be a long-term trauma that causes PTSD in adulthood.
• Combat or Military Experience: Veterans and active service members often experience PTSD from the stresses of war, combat, and loss of life.
• Death of a Loved One: The sudden or violent loss of a close person can trigger PTSD, especially if it involves an unexpected or traumatic event.
• Domestic Violence: Ongoing abuse in a domestic setting can lead to PTSD.
• Medical Incidents: Severe illness or medical procedures can be traumatic.
• Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters can cause PTSD due to the overwhelming fear and loss experienced.
• Sexual Assault: Survivors of sexual assault are at a high risk for developing PTSD due to the intense violation and trauma associated with these experiences.
• Violent Crime: Being involved in or witnessing violent crimes, such as robbery, assault, or terrorism, can be a trigger for PTSD.
• Witnessing Trauma: Seeing someone else experience a traumatic event can also cause PTSD.

What are the Symptoms of PTSD?

The symptoms of PTSD can vary, but they generally involve intense, ongoing feelings of fear and anxiety following a traumatic event. People with PTSD may experience a range of emotional, physical, and behavioral reactions. Here are some common symptoms:

• Avoidance: People with PTSD may avoid places, people, or activities that remind them of the traumatic event. This can make it hard to manage everyday activities.
• Flashbacks: This is when a person feels as if they are reliving the traumatic event in the present, often with overwhelming fear or panic.
• Nightmares or Disturbing Memories: Recurrent nightmares or distressing memories of the trauma are common in people with PTSD.
• Negative Thoughts or Feelings: People may feel detached from others, experience a lack of trust, or have negative thoughts about themselves or the world.
• Overwhelming Anxiety: Feeling constantly on edge or in danger, even when there is no immediate threat, is a typical symptom.
• Physical Reactions: Increased heart rate, sweating, shaking, or difficulty breathing may occur when reminded of the trauma.
• Sleep Problems: People with PTSD often struggle with insomnia, trouble falling asleep, or waking up frequently during the night due to disturbing thoughts or dreams.
• Startle Responses: People with PTSD may be easily startled or react with extreme fear to loud noises or unexpected movements.

What are the Causes of Acute Stress Disorder?

ASD occurs after a person experiences a traumatic event that causes intense fear, helplessness, or horror. These events can be sudden, unexpected, and overwhelming. While the cause of ASD is always tied to a trauma, different types of experiences can trigger it. Here are some common causes:

• Accidents: Being involved in or witnessing an accident, such as a car crash or a workplace incident, can trigger ASD.
• Death of a Loved One: The unexpected or violent loss of someone close can be a cause, leading to immediate distress.
• Disasters: Natural disasters, like hurricanes, floods, or earthquakes, can lead to intense emotional reactions and cause ASD.
• Domestic Violence: Experiencing or witnessing violence within the home is a major source of trauma that can result in ASD.
• Sexual Assault or Abuse: Being sexually assaulted or abused can cause intense emotional shock, triggering ASD.
• Violent Crime: Experiencing or witnessing a violent crime, such as a robbery or assault, is a common cause of ASD.

What are the Symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder?

The symptoms of acute stress order are similar to those of PTSD, but they occur within the first month after a traumatic event. These symptoms can significantly affect a person’s emotional and physical well-being. Here are the common symptoms:

• Avoidance: People with ASD may avoid reminders of the trauma, such as certain places, activities, or people that trigger memories of the event.
• Dissociation: A feeling of being detached from reality, such as not feeling present or experiencing the world as if it’s not real, is common.
• Flashbacks: People might experience vivid flashbacks where they feel like they are reliving the traumatic event all over again.
• Heightened Anxiety: Increased fear and anxiety, often feeling constantly on alert or expecting something bad to happen, are common symptoms.
• Mood Swings: Emotional numbness or intense feelings, including sadness, anger, or irritability, can occur following trauma.
• Nightmares: Frequent, distressing dreams related to the traumatic event are common in people with ASD.
• Sleep Problems: Difficulty falling or staying asleep, often due to nightmares or heightened alertness, is a common symptom.
• Startle Response: A heightened startle reflex, where a person is easily startled by loud noises or sudden movements, is typical in people with ASD.

What are Treatment Options for PTSD?

Treatment for PTSD focuses on helping people manage their symptoms and rebuild their lives after trauma. Common approaches include:

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This therapy helps people recognize and change negative thought patterns that contribute to PTSD. A specific type called trauma-focused CBT is often used for those dealing with trauma.
2. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): This therapy uses guided eye movements to help people process traumatic memories and reduce their emotional charge.
3. Medication: Antidepressants, such as SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), can help alleviate symptoms like anxiety, depression, and irritability.
4. Support Groups: Connecting with others who have experienced similar traumas can provide comfort, reduce feelings of isolation, and promote healing.
5. Mindfulness and Stress Reduction Techniques: Practices like meditation, deep breathing, and yoga can help manage anxiety and increase emotional resilience.

What are Treatment Options for ASD?

Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) treatment focuses on reducing symptoms in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event. The goal is to prevent the development of PTSD. Treatment options include:

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Like in PTSD treatment, CBT helps people understand and manage their emotional responses to trauma. It’s especially effective in the early stages of ASD.
2. Narrative Exposure Therapy: This therapy involves talking through the traumatic event, helping people process the memory and reduce its emotional impact.
3. Medication: While medication is not typically prescribed for ASD, doctors may recommend short-term use of anti-anxiety medications or sleep aids if necessary.
4. Relaxation Techniques: Practicing mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, and other relaxation methods can help reduce the anxiety and stress associated with ASD.
5. Peer Support: Talking to others who understand can provide comfort and help people feel less alone in their experiences.

Peak Wellness Offers PTSD Treatment

At Peak Wellness Wellness in New Jersey, we provide compassionate, personalized care for people struggling with PTSD. Our experienced team offers evidence-based treatments, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), trauma-focused therapy, and support groups. We understand the impact PTSD has on daily life, and we work closely with each person to create a plan that fits their needs and helps them on the path to healing. If you’re ready to take control of your life again, contact Peak Wellness today to schedule a consultation and start your journey toward recovery.